Two huge UK Bollywood shows have been postponed indefinitely, with the 100-strong cast suffering visa problems caused by the Kashmir crisis.

The extravaganzas at Manchester's Old Trafford stadium on 29 June and London's Hyde Park on 30 June were to feature the best known actors and singers from Indian film.

But the promoters of From India with Love said the shows could not be staged as the withdrawal of British embassy staff from India left them with no guarantee the cast could get visas in time.

The promoters have had to take this difficult decision now rather than risk a last-minute postponement

Promoters' spokeswoman

Organisers also said that with the British Government strongly advising against travel to India there was no way their UK production team could be sent to take part in rehearsals.

They maintained that they do intend to reschedule the shows at some point, but are unable to choose a date while the crisis and the prospect of a war between India and Pakistan continues.

The stars lined up for the shows had included Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Preity Zinta.

More than 200 films have been made by the stars and they even have temples dedicated to them in some parts of India, where film dialogue is recited in the form of prayer.

Ticket refund

From India with Love would have been the highlight of a summer of separate Bollywood events around the UK.

Tickets to the music and dancing spectaculars will be refunded at the point of sale.

Amitabh Bachchan was among those on the bill

A spokeswoman for the promoters said: "This is due to circumstances outside the control of the promoters.

"With no end in sight to the worsening crisis, there is increasing uncertainty surrounding the feasibility of staging the shows at this time and insuring them.

"The promoters have had to take this difficult decision now rather than risk a last-minute postponement and the disappointment that would cause to the tens of thousands of fans expected to attend the shows.

He added that while it was the promoter's intention to reschedule the shows, the decision to refund all of the tickets was due to the "uncertainty and the limited availability of these venues to stage events of this scale".