Ernakulam, October 9 - The Kerala High Court on Thursday gave the Central Government’s counsel time to obtain instructions in the Haal movie censorship dispute. The case was filed by the film's producer and director, who have accused the censor board of acting arbitrarily while demanding controversial cuts and modifications before granting certification.
The hearing, presided over by Justice N. Nagaresh, saw animated arguments about artistic freedom, bureaucratic delay, and what the filmmakers called an "unexplained" referral to the Revising Committee.
Background
The film, Haal, starring Shane Nigam, was viewed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on September 10, 2025. Yet, according to the petition, no decision was communicated for days. When the filmmakers checked the online portal, they discovered that their film had been pushed to the Revising Committee - with no reasons stated in writing.
The petitioners, Juby Thomas and a co-producer, alleged that this was done "without justification" and in violation of basic procedural fairness. They also claimed that six changes demanded by the CBFC were unjustified - including the deletion of a "beef biriyani" scene and a sequence in which the heroine disguises herself in Muslim attire.
Other instructions included blurring the name "Holy Angels College of Nursing," which the petitioners said was unnecessary.
"The movie has no violence or obscene content. These cuts are not just impractical; they are unfair to the creative team," the plea stated.
Court's Observations
Justice N. Nagaresh appeared to take a measured view during the proceedings.
"The government must respond formally. Let instructions be taken," the bench said, adjourning the matter for a week.
The counsel for the filmmakers argued that the CBFC's decision was "arbitrary and influenced by external factors," even hinting that the delay might have been caused by the release of another Shane Nigam film around the same time.
Interestingly, the petitioners also proposed a reform to the censorship process - urging that film scripts be vetted before shooting begins. They said a two-stage censorship model, one at the script level and another after post-production, would "save filmmakers from last-minute trauma."
Decision
After a brief hearing, the High Court granted time for the Central Government's counsel to take instructions and respond. The matter will next be heard on October 14.
No interim relief was granted, and the petitioners plea to appoint an Advocate Commissioner to review the film content was not immediately considered.
As of now, Haal remains uncertified, and its release - initially planned for September - stands indefinitely postponed.
