KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday fixed October 25 as the date to screen the much-debated Malayalam film ‘Haal’, starring Shane Nigam, to assess whether the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) objections to certain scenes are justified.
The court’s intervention follows CBFC’s directive to cut or modify certain scenes, including a depiction of beef biryani and a dialogue referring to a ceremonial salute. Justice V.G. Arun, who earlier announced that he would personally view the film, set the screening at Padamugal Colour Planet studio in Kakkanad at 7 p.m. on October 25, in the presence of the petitioners, the filmmakers, and the respondents from the CBFC, along with their counsel.
The filmmakers, represented by counsel, argued that the contested scenes are integral to the narrative and that the CBFC’s suggested cuts would compromise artistic freedom.
