Malayalam film `Haal` starring Shane Nigam denied censor certificate over objectionable content. Filmmakers move High Court against the decision.

Thiruvananthapuram: Yet another Malayalam film has run into trouble with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Haal, an upcoming musical-romantic drama starring Shane Nigam, has been denied certification by the board, citing the presence of "objectionable content" in multiple scenes and dialogues.
The CBFC has reportedly asked the makers to remove 15 scenes, including references to "Dhwaja Pranaman", "Sangham kawal und", and a scene showing the consumption of beef biriyani. Other portions flagged include a line where "Sultan Bathery" is replaced with "Ganapathivattam", which the board also wants removed. According to sources, the board informed the filmmakers that an 'A' certificate could be granted only if these cuts were implemented.
The producers, JVJ Productions, have strongly objected to the demands and have approached the Kerala High Court seeking relief. Director Veer confirmed that the matter will be heard in court on Tuesday.
The controversy around Haal follows a growing trend of increased scrutiny from the censor board towards Malayalam films. Earlier, the Suresh Gopi-starrer Janaki v/s State of Kerala had to change its title after the CBFC objected to the name “Janaki,” claiming it referred to the mythological character Sita from the Ramayana.
Mohanlal's film Empuraan also faced similar hurdles, with the CBFC ordering multiple scene cuts.
Published: 09 Oct 2025, 03:01 pm IST
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