Malayalam Film 'Haal' Challenges Censorship in Kerala High Court
The creators of the Malayalam movie Haal have approached the Kerala High Court to contest the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) orders to alter or remove specific dialogues and scenes, including one featuring beef biryani, as reported by a news outlet.
Initially, Haal was set to debut on September 12, but this release date has since been delayed, according to another media source.
The film board communicated to the producers, JVJ Productions, that the film was deemed inappropriate for unrestricted public viewing but could receive an 'A' (adults only) rating after the necessary cuts and modifications were made.
According to the board, the film's narrative addresses socio-cultural dynamics and touches on religious sensitivities, as reported by a news outlet.
Director Veera stated that the regional office of the certification board in Thiruvananthapuram had previously indicated that a screening certificate would be granted but later referred the film to a revising committee without notifying the filmmakers, as per the news report.
Veera expressed concerns about allegations of a hidden agenda behind the film, asserting, “Our movie does not showcase violence or cruelty. It is an interfaith love story that emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's faith amid pressures for religious conversion.”
He also questioned the rationale behind restricting the film to adult audiences even after the proposed cuts.
The High Court has accepted the petition and requested a response from the CBFC for the next hearing scheduled on October 14.
Producers Juby Thomas and Veera have urged the court to instruct the film board to expedite the certification process and consider establishing new guidelines for censorship applications.
Among the board's concerns are references to “dhwaj pranamam,” a greeting linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and “Ganapati Vattam,” a name suggested by the Bharatiya Janata Party for Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, along with the term “abhyantara shatrukkal,” which translates to internal enemies.
The RSS is the parent organization of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the national level.
Additionally, the board requested the removal of a song sequence where a woman conceals her identity with a burqa, a police interrogation scene, and the blurring of the name “Holy Angels College of Nursing,” according to the news report.
The filmmakers were also instructed to secure consent from the Thamrassery Bishop for scenes featuring him and to amend scenes depicting alleged discrimination against specific religious groups.