/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176517603038837458.webp)
The Kerala High Court on Monday (December 8) reserved its verdict on a batch of appeals challenging the single judge’s decision to set aside the ‘A’ certificate issued to the Malayalam film Haal. The appeals, filed by the Centre, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the Catholic Congress, were heard together by a Bench comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice PV Balakrishnan.During the proceedings, counsel representing the Christian outfit argued that the film contained several scenes depicting “forceful religious conversion.” He also raised strong objections to what he described as the portrayal of Love Jihad. “Their (producer) submission is that this a love story. My contention is that love story...in the background
of Love jihad...misrepresentation of inter-faith relationship commonly referred to as Love Jihad...negatively stereotyping Muslim and Christian community...undermining Christian religious practices by favouring one narrative...using cinematic tools, dialogues and music to promote one sided propaganda and manipulate audiences,” he stated. He maintained that the film could have progressed “without depicting love jihad.”
The Bench, however, questioned the basis of these objections, remarking, “Where is question of love jihad in the entire movie?… it is just like a love story… ultimately girl's father also says he was wrong. Initially there is resistance always because people feel girl and boy should marry in the same religion. But after some time, passage of time even the girl's father also realizes he made a mistake. After all nothing is going to happen if they chose to marry each other.”Also Read: Kerala Sexual Assault Case Verdict: Actor Dileep NOT Found GuiltyTwo separate appeals were filed - one by the Catholic Congress and another by the Centre - challenging the single judge’s order quashing the ‘A’ certification and the six cuts recommended for Haal, which stars Shane Nigam. The Revising Committee had earlier suggested trimming scenes including a beef biriyani sequence, a song portion in which the heroine uses Muslim attire to conceal her identity, and moments where police were allegedly portrayed “in a bad light.” The director and producer had approached the High Court disputing these cuts.The single judge had ruled in their favour, striking down both the certification and the proposed cuts, observing that the film aligned with constitutional principles and directing the CBFC to reconsider its certification.In its appeal, the Catholic Congress argued that the film wrongly depicted the Bishop of Thamarassery as supporting inter-faith marriages despite his public stance to the contrary. The organisation also objected to exterior shots of the Bishop’s residence, and urged that the quashing of excisions 2 to 4 be overturned. The Centre, meanwhile, contended that the writ petition itself was not maintainable and should not have been entertained at all.Earlier, the division bench had announced that it would watch Haal before delivering its order and warned that costs could be imposed if the film was found to contain no objectionable material as claimed. With arguments now closed, the court has reserved its judgment, leaving the film’s certification fate pending further orders.
