14 November,2025 07:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Haal poster
The Kerala High Court on Friday granted partial relief to the makers of the Malayalam film Haal, setting aside a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) directive that mandated six cuts and restricted the film to an Adults-only (A) certificate. The makers had challenged the order by CBFC and fought it in court. Justice VG Arun viewed the film and granted partial relief to the makers, ordering two modifications instead of six.
The Court directed the filmmakers to carry out two modifications before the film could be reconsidered for certification. The film, which revolves around an interfaith love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl, had been flagged by the CBFC for allegedly sensitive portrayals.
The Court ordered the makers to implement two specific modifications: deletion of a scene showing beef biriyani being eaten, excision of dialogues deemed demeaning to certain cultural organisations along with blurring of visible ârakhi', and deletion of another dialogue - "Adhil thanne... matha thilekkumii kanu...".
Once these changes are made, the filmmakers may approach the CBFC again, with the Board directed to take a decision within two weeks.
The producers had challenged the CBFC's earlier order, which said the film would be certified 'A' only after six specified alterations, including the removal of a song sequence featuring the heroine in Muslim attire and blurring the name of an institution.
Senior counsel for the petitioners argued that the Board had ignored the overall narrative, stressing that the film contained neither explicit content nor violence warranting an A certificate.
The CBFC, represented by the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), defended its stance, arguing that the film had "crossed the Lakshman Rekha" by entering sensitive religious terrain and contained scenes capable of creating "unease" among communities.
The Board, the ASG said, was obligated to safeguard public order and religious sentiment.
Justice Arun, however, questioned whether "unease alone" could be a valid ground for censorship.
In a letter to producer Juby Thomas of JVJ Productions, the CBFC noted that the cuts and alterations specified in the annexure should be carried out before the certificate is issued. The annexure stated the removal of a song sequence where the character Maria is seen using Muslim attire to conceal her identity, the deletion of scenes stereotyping communities, such as a police interrogation of schoolboys along with a dialogue referring to Kannadigas. It also sought removal of dialogues and scenes affecting Christian sentiments.
The CBFC also calls for the chopping of court-related documents and data, as well as dialogues and visuals deemed derogatory to cultural organisations, including references to 'dhwaj pranam', 'Ganapathi vattam', and 'sangham kavalund'. 'Dhwaj pranam' means salutation to the flag and is associated with the RSS. 'Ganapathi vattam' was a name suggested by BJP leaders for Sultan Bathery in Wayanad. 'Sangham Kavalund' implies "the Sangh will protect you".
The committee has also reportedly asked for the deletion of beef biriyani eating scenes as well as the blurring of Rakhi visuals wherever they appear.
Challenging the order, the film's producers approached the High Court, arguing that the proposed cuts compromise the narrative and infringe on artistic freedom. Haal, directed by debutant Veer, was originally slated for release on September 12 but was postponed due to the row.
