The decks were finally cleared for the release of the Aamir Khan-starrer Rang De Basanti when the top brass of the Indian Air Force on Tuesday decided that there was no derogatory reference to the IAF in the film.

"There is nothing derogatory about the Indian Air Force in the film. It is a very good film and as far as we are concerned, it can be released. Now the ball is in the court of the censor board," Air Marshal P S Ahluwalia said, soon after a special screening for the defence ministry.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who censor board chief Sharmila Tagore said enjoyed watching the film, chose not to speak on the subject.

"It is a very good film. It is a great tribute to our heroes," Tagore said.

Asked why the censor board referred it to the defence ministry, Tagore said: "I only wanted an expert opinion before clearing it."

The film is based on the story of Flying Officer Abhijit Gadgil who was killed in a MiG crash two years back. The IAF had first said that the accident was a result of the pilot's error, but after investigations blamed it on malfunctioning in machine.