The Kerala High Court will view the Malayalam film Haal on October 25 to examine objections raised by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Board had withheld clearance, demanding several edits—including the removal of a beef biryani scene, blurring of an institution’s name, and deletion of a song sequence showing the female lead in a burqa.
Haal, which depicts a love story between a Muslim man and a Christian woman, was denied certification until these changes were made. The filmmakers challenged the CBFC’s decision, calling the objections arbitrary and a violation of creative freedom.
The Catholic Congress of the Thamarassery Diocese also intervened in the case, alleging that the film misrepresented a Bishop as approving the interfaith relationship without consent. The group claimed the portrayal was defamatory and could harm religious sentiments and communal harmony.
Justice V. G. Arun has directed that the film be screened privately at a Kakkanad studio in Kochi at 7 p.m. on October 25, with representatives from both the filmmakers and the CBFC present. The matter will return to court on October 30 for further consideration.