‘Haal’ censorship: Kerala HC division bench watches film in appeals by Catholic Congress, Centre and Censor Board

Kochi: Ahead of a decision on the appeal filed by the Catholic Congress challenging the single-bench order granting a censor certificate to the film ‘Haal’, the High Court Division Bench watched the movie. On Wednesday evening, Justices Sushruth Aravind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan viewed the film at a studio in Kakkanad. Lawyers representing the petitioners were also present.

Earlier, the single bench had watched the film. Meanwhile, both the Central Government and the Film Certification Board filed appeals questioning the single-bench order.

‘Hal’, starring Shane Nigam, tells the story of a romance between a Muslim man and a Christian woman. The legal challenge arose after the producers, Juby Thomas and director Mohammed Rafiq, filed a petition against the single-bench order following the Censor Board’s recommendation for roughly a dozen cuts. The film team had informed the board that they were willing to remove scenes, including sequences showing beef biryani, which was considered by the single-bench when granting approval.

The Catholic Congress’ appeal specifically challenges the approval of three scenes depicting the Christian community and the Thamarassery Bishop House, which the single bench had allowed. Consequently, the division bench decided to view the film. The Censor Board also filed its appeal afterward. The court is expected to reconsider the matter the next day.