Kerala High Court allows release of Malayalam film Haal after certification dispute

A Division Bench upheld the earlier ruling that had set aside the ‘A’ certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), providing relief to the filmmakers.

The Kerala High Court on Friday dismissed the appeals filed by the Union Government and the Catholic Congress, which had challenged a single judge’s order quashing the A-certificate and six mandatory cuts imposed on the Malayalam film Haal.

A Division Bench upheld the earlier ruling that had set aside the ‘A’ certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), providing relief to the filmmakers. The verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Arvind Sushrut Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan.

In its appeal, the Catholic Congress argued that the film depicted the Bishop of Thamarassery in a manner contrary to his publicly stated opposition to interfaith marriages. The organisation also claimed that the film amounted to “propaganda” intended to downplay concerns surrounding the issue of so-called “Love Jihad.”

Further, the group contended that Haal was defamatory and hurt religious sentiments, warning that it could disturb social harmony. Objections were also raised regarding the depiction of the Bishop’s House, with the Congress stating that portions of it were filmed from outside without prior consent.

The controversy had escalated earlier this year after the CBFC’s Revising Committee examined the film and recommended the removal of several scenes. These included visuals showing the consumption of beef biriyani and sequences that allegedly portrayed the police in a negative light.

Starring Shane Nigam, Haal was originally scheduled for release on September 12. However, delays in certification compelled the filmmakers to approach the High Court, following which the CBFC’s Revising Committee issued an A-certificate subject to six cuts.

After viewing the film and hearing detailed arguments, the single judge’s bench held that four of the six cuts were unjustified. These included scenes showing a Christian heroine dancing in a burqa, visuals of the Thamarassery Bishop’s residence, police interrogation sequences, and a suggestion to blur the name of a Christian institution.

Also read: Kerala HC to watch Malayalam movie Haal amid censorship dispute, and beef biryani scene

Since the filmmakers had already agreed to remove excisions 5 and 6 — which included the beef biriyani scene and certain dialogues referring to a cultural organization — these were not examined on their merits.

Ultimately, the single judge’s bench directed the CBFC to reconsider the film’s certification without imposing the contested cuts.