MUMBAI: One of Bollywood’s top directors is embroiled in a row with India’s strict film censors over anti-smoking messages that must be shown every time an actor lights up on screen.

Anurag Kashyap has filed a petition to the Bombay High Court objecting to the censorship board’s demand that his new film “Ugly” must carry the mandatory anti-tobacco warnings, including during smoking scenes.

The petition comes after US director Woody Allen in October pulled his latest movie “Blue Jasmine” from India in protest at the warnings.

“These conditions fetter the rights of filmmakers to free speech and expression,” said Kashyap’s petition.