Beef biryani, burqa scene row: Kerala High Court to watch film 'Haal' on Oct 25 to decide CBFC objections

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday said it would watch the Malayalam film 'Haal' on the evening of October 25 to determine whether the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) is justified in suggesting that certain scenes in the movie be cut or modified [Juby Thomas & anr v Union of India & ors].

The changes suggested by the CBFC included the deletion of a scene showing beef biriyani being eaten, blurring an institution's name, and removing a song sequence where the lead actress appears in Muslim attire. The CBFC had indicated that it could certify the film as A (adults only) for its release, once these changes are carried out.

The film's producer and director have challenged this turn of events before the High Court.

Justice VG Arun had recently said that he would watch the film to decide the dispute.

Today, the judge fixed October 25, Saturday, as the date for viewing the film, in the presence of the petitioners (film's makers), and the respondents (CBFC), along with their counsel. The screening is likely to happen at the Padamugal Colour Planet studio in Kakkanad.

The case will be listed thereafter on October 30, 2025.

"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 Court's order said.

The case concerns a petition filed by the makers of the Shane Nigam-starrer film 'Haal.' The movie is about an interfaith love story between a Muslim boy and a Christian girl. The filmmakers have disagreed with the cuts proposed by the CBFC for the film's release, which was initially scheduled for September.

Notably, a Christian organisation called the Catholic Congress, from the Thamarassery Diocese, has also filed a plea to intervene in this case to object to the film's public release.

The Catholic Congress has alleged that the film has depicted the Thamarassery Bishop as being supportive of an interfaith love story without his permission. It claimed that the film is, therefore, defamatory to the bishop.

The Catholic Congress has also alleged that the film promotes "love jihad" and could potentially hurt the religious sentiments of the Christian community and affect communal harmony.

The Court had recently allowed the Catholic Congress' plea to be added as a party to the case.

Advocates Saneeje S and John Vithayathil appeared for the petitioners (filmmakers).

[Live Coverage]