Kerala church organisation accuses ‘Haal’ of promoting ‘Love Jihad’ after CBFC objects to beef biryani scene

Kochi: The Catholic Congress, a laity organisation under the Syro-Malabar Church, told the Kerala High Court on Friday that the upcoming Malayalam film Haal, starring Shine Nigam, contains "objectionable content" that could trigger "religious disharmony".

The Christian body made the claim in an application seeking impleadment in a plea by the film’s producers, who have accused the censor board (CBFC) of undue delay in issuing a censorship certificate.

Justice V G Arun allowed the impleadment application and scheduled the matter for October 21, when the court will consider the producers’ request to view the film.

Filed through advocates Shinu J Pillai and Mariya Rajan, the Catholic Congress stated that the film "contains objectionable content regarding the Thamarassery Bishop House" and portrayed him without consent from him or the Thamarassery Diocese.

It further asserted that the film "poses a potential threat to the social and communal harmony" and is "not eligible" for public exhibition certification.

The application also alleged that the film "encouraged the concept of Love Jihad" and depicted the Thamarassery Bishop as supporting it.

"It is respectfully submitted that if such scenes are permitted and the film is exhibited in the present form, it will hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community and disrupt the peace and harmony of the society," the application added.

CBFC certification still pending

The film has yet to receive a public exhibition certificate, as the CBFC has ordered removal of scenes, including depictions of beef biryani consumption and dialogues referencing 'dhwaj pranam'.

Based on its Revising Committee’s recommendation, the board had granted an 'A' certificate, noting that the narrative addresses socio-cultural dynamics and involves religious sensitivities. It had deemed the film unsuitable for unrestricted public exhibition but acceptable for adults with certain modifications, asking producer Juby Thomas to make the required excisions and alterations before certification.

Producers allege delay and arbitrary procedures

Producers Juby Thomas and director Muhammed Rafeek, who invested nearly Rs 15 crore in the film, said it was initially planned for an Onam release. They claim its clearance has been held up without explanation and described sending the film to the Revising Committee without intimation as "illegal and arbitrary".

A similar controversy arose in July when the CBFC objected to the title of the movie Janaki vs State of Kerala, prompting the makers to rename it Janaki V v/s State of Kerala.