Anil Sharma's costly war opus "Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon" finds itself in trouble after the army has taken exception to some scenes.

The film was originally scheduled for release on Dec 3, but it is now unclear when Sharma will be able to release it.

Says the harrowed director: "It's true that the army's clearance is awaited regarding a few things in the film. We're expecting the clearance any day. Until that happens, I can't announce another release date.

"Tentatively I'd say 'Ab Tumhare...' is now due on Dec 17 or 24."

"Ab Tumhare..." is the story of three generations of army officers - Amitabh Bachchan and Bobby Deol in double roles as father and son. The film encompasses all of India's battles against Pakistan, from the 1971 war to the Kargil conflict.

This isn't the first war film to get into censor trouble.

Some years ago the armed forces had objected to Amitabh Bachchan playing an army officer with a beard in Tinu Anand's "Major Sahib".

But careless whiskers seem to be the least of the problems with "Ab Tumhare..." It remains to be seen whether the expensive film gets released before the year ends.