Censor Board’s Cuts Challenged: ‘Haal’ Film to Be Viewed by High Court

Kochi: The High Court will review the film Haal, starring Shane Nigam, following a plea challenging the censor board’s demand for extensive cuts. Justice V G Arun said on Tuesday that a decision on when and where the film will be viewed will be announced later. The screening will take place in the presence of the lawyers representing the parties in the case.

The court’s favourable decision came in response to a question from the petitioners’ counsel on whether the film could be viewed. Meanwhile, the Catholic Congress has joined the case, alleging that the film’s content poses a threat to religious harmony.

The petition challenges the censor board’s demand to cut 19 scenes, including those showing beef biryani being eaten. The board had also recommended removing references and dialogues related to flag salutation, group protection, Ganapathi procession, and Rakhi tying. The board’s position was that an ‘A’ certificate could be granted if these cuts were made.

The petitioners argued that the film had been unnecessarily delayed and that the censor board’s action amounted to an intrusion on freedom of expression. Hal is directed by Veer (Muhammed Rafiq) under the JVJ Productions banner.

Previously, when the censor board had issued similar cut directives, the court had also viewed the film Janaki Versus State of Kerala.