Kerala HC Clears Malayalam Film Haal

Kerala High Court clears Malayalam film Haal for release, dismissing appeals against its certification.

Transcript

00:00The Kerala High Court has cleared the Malayalam film Haal for release dismissing appeals against

00:05its certification. Starring Shane Nigam, the film faced delays but now clears a major legal

00:10hurdle with the detailed order still awaited. The appeals filed by the Catholic Congress

00:15and the Union Government were against the reversal of the Central Board of Film Certifications

00:19A Certificate. A division bench upheld an earlier single judge's ruling, bringing relief to the

00:24filmmakers. The court reviewed objections regarding the film's portrayal of the religious themes

00:29and interfaith relationships. The Catholic Congress had claimed that Haal suggested forced religious

00:34conversions and misrepresented the Thamasari bishop's stance on interfaith marriages.

00:39They also raised concerns about scenes filmed at the bishop's house without consent. The

00:44CBFC's revising committee suggested six cuts, but the court deemed four of them unnecessary.

00:49Filmmakers in Kerala have repeatedly faced certification challenges. Janaki v. State of Kerala and Empurran

00:55illustrate how, beyond CBFC recommendations, social and political pressures often force additional

01:02cuts, highlighting the ongoing tension between creative expression and public sensitivities.