After beef biryani, burqa row, Christian outfit has issue with Haal: Kerala High Court to watch film

The Kerala High Court today indicated that it would watch the Malayalam film 'Haal' to decide on whether the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) was justified in suggesting that certain scenes in the movie should be cut or modified before it could be released [Juby Thomas & anr v Union of India & ors]..The CBFC has suggested six modifications to the movie, including blurring an institution’s name, deleting a scene showing beef biriyani being eaten, and removing a song sequence where the lead actress appears in Muslim attire.Justice VG Arun has posted the matter on October 21 to finalise who all would be viewing it to decide on whether the CBFC's suggestions should be carried out..The makers of the Shane Nigam-starrer film 'Haal' have challenged the CBFC's proposal to grant an 'A' (Adults only) certificate for the film's release, provided that the censor body's suggestions to cut or modify certain scenes in the film are carried out.The film Haal revolves around an interfaith love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl. The modifications suggested by the CBFC include deleting a scene showing characters eating beef biriyani, removing a song sequence where the actress appears in a burqa (Muslim religious attire) to conceal her identity, and blurring the name of Holy Angels College of Nursing..Notably, the film's release has now been opposed by the Catholic Congress of the Thamarassery Diocese, which has sought to intervene in the matter. The Christian body has filed an impleadment application in the case. The Court today allowed it to implead itself as a party. The Catholic Congress has objected to the film's alleged depiction of the Thamarassery Bishop as supporting the interfaith love story portrayed in the film, without his permission. The impleadment application says that the diocese had also filed a complaint about the same before the CBFC on October 3. The Catholic Congress has argued that the film is not suitable for public release as it contains content that could potentially hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community and affect communal harmony. It adds that the film promotes "love jihad" and shows the Thamarassery Bishop as a supporter of such "objectionable affairs." Such ideas are against Christian customs and could defame the Bishop and the diocese, the application stated. .The counsel representing Haal's makers today opposed such a stance, contending that the film does not portray any community or religious leader in a negative light."What is freedom of expression if such scenes are objected to? The issue in Haal is that when the father asks the girl to convert, the boy refuses and a bishop later says both should respect each other’s religions. How is the Christian community being put in a bad light?" he argued. The petitioner's counsel also highlighted that the Supreme Court has previously observed that it was appropriate for courts to view the movie before adjudicating on any challenge to the CBFC's decision.The Court, ultimately, decided to watch the movie before deciding on the matter..Advocates Saneeje S and John Vithayathil appeared for the petitioners. The Christian Congress' impleadment application was filed through Advocate Shinu J Pillai..[Live Coverage]