The Kerala High Court said on Tuesday it will watch the Malayalam film Haal on the evening of October 25 to decide whether the Central Board of Film Certification’s suggested cuts and modifications are justified. The case, Juby Thomas & anr v Union of India & ors, concerns objections raised by the CBFC to several scenes and sequences in the Shane Nigam-starrer.
The CBFC had asked for the deletion of a scene showing beef biriyani being eaten, the blurring of an institution’s name, and the removal of a song sequence in which the lead actress appears in Muslim attire. The board indicated it could certify the film as A, for adults only, once those changes are carried out. The film’s producer and director have challenged that position before the High Court.
Justice VG Arun had said he would watch the film to decide the dispute. On Tuesday, the judge fixed October 25, Saturday, as the date for viewing the film in the presence of the petitioners, the respondents and their counsel. The screening is likely to take place at the Padamugal Colour Planet studio in Kakkanad. The court’s order added that the case will be listed thereafter on October 30, 2025. The order records: “Learned counsel for petitioner submitted that arrangements can be made to view the movie at 7 pm on Saturday, 25.10.2025. Along with the Court, the respondent and their counsel are also permitted to watch the movie post on 30th October, 2025.”
The petition relates to Haal, an interfaith love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl, which was initially scheduled for release in September. The filmmakers have disagreed with the cuts proposed by the CBFC. A Christian organisation called the Catholic Congress, from the Thamarassery Diocese, has also moved to intervene and object to the film’s public release. The Catholic Congress alleges the film depicts the Thamarassery Bishop as being supportive of an interfaith love story without his permission and claims the depiction is defamatory. It also contends the film promotes “love jihad” and could hurt Christian religious sentiments and communal harmony. The High Court had recently allowed the Catholic Congress to be added as a party to the case.
Advocates Saneeje S and John Vithayathil appeared for the petitioners.
