CBFC orders cuts in Malayalam film 'Haal', cites religious sensitivities
Kochi (PTI): CBFC has directed the removal of several scenes, including those depicting the eating of beef biriyani and dialogues on 'dhwaj pranam', from the upcoming Malayalam movie 'Haal' starring Shine Nigam.
The committee, on the recommendation of its Revising Committee, granted an ‘A’ certificate to the film, noting that its narrative addressed socio-cultural dynamics and involved religious sensitivities.
It said the film was not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition but could be released for adults with certain modifications, as stated in the letter.
In a letter to producer Juby Thomas of JVJ Productions, the Central Board of Film Certification said the excisions and alterations specified in the annexure should be carried out before the certificate is issued.
The annexure mentions the removal of a song sequence where the character Maria uses Muslim attire to conceal her identity, deletion of scenes stereotyping communities, such as a police interrogation of schoolboys and a dialogue referring to Kannadigas, and removal of dialogues and scenes affecting Christian sentiments.
It also calls for the excision of court-related documents and data, as well as dialogues and visuals deemed derogatory to cultural organisations, including references to 'dhwaj pranam', 'Ganapathi vattam', and 'sangham kavalund'.
'Dhwaj pranam' means salutation to the flag and is associated with the RSS.
'Ganapathi vattam' was a name suggested by BJP leaders for Sultan Bathery in Wayanad.
'Sangham Kavalund' implies "the Sangh will protect you".
The committee has also asked for the deletion of beef biriyani eating scenes and the blurring of ‘Rakhi’ visuals wherever they appear.
Meanwhile, the producer and director of 'Haal' have approached the Kerala High Court, alleging an inordinate delay by the CBFC in issuing the censorship certificate.
In their petition, producer Juby Thomas and director Muhammed Rafeek claimed the film, which cost nearly Rs 15 crore, was initially planned as an Onam release, but its clearance has been held up without explanation.
The petition said the movie was screened before the censor board on September 10, after which they were informed that further communication would follow.
However, the application was later forwarded to the Revising Committee without any intimation, which the petitioners described as "illegal and arbitrary", the petition said.
They argued that the film contains no violence or cruelty, apart from criticism of certain social evils, and that the delay amounts to a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.
The petition sought interim relief, directing the censor board to process their application, and also urged the court to consider framing fresh guidelines for censorship, including a two-stage system—one at the script stage and another after completion of the film.
The High Court has also been requested to appoint an advocate commissioner to watch the film and report on its content.
The court has decided to consider the petition again on October 14.
In July this year, a similar issue arose when the CBFC flagged the name of the movie 'Janaki vs State of Kerala'.
Later, the makers of the movie decided to change the name to 'Janaki V v/s State of Kerala'.
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Protests against Khamenei's killing: Curbs remain in force in Kashmir
Srinagar (PTI): Strict restrictions remained imposed in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following massive protests across the valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, the government shut educational institutions till Saturday, while mobile internet speed continued to remain throttled.
"Restrictions on the movement and assembly of the people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday," the officials said.
They said strict restrictions were being enforced especially in the parts having large Shia population and those areas which have witnessed massive protests over the last three days.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors, the officials said.
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They added that concertina wires and barricades were placed at important intersections leading into the city, while asserting that these were precautionary measures imposed to maintain law and order.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar in the city centre of Lal Chowk here continued to remain a no-go zone after the authorities sealed area with barricades erected all around it on late Sunday night.
The move to seal the Ghanta Ghar came after it witnessed massive protests on Sunday after Khamenei's assassination in the joint air strikes by the US and Israel.
This is the first time since August 2019 that protests on such a large scale have taken place in Kashmir.
The government had first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, on Tuesday it decided to close the educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure in view of the protests.
Mobile internet speeds continued to remain throttled while some prepaid mobile connections were also barred, the officials added.
On Tuesday, protests rocked several places in the valley, including Sumbal and Pattan areas of North Kashmir.
In Sumbal of Bandipora district, security forces had to resort to force to disperse the demonstrators.
Some media outlets and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, faced police heat for allegedly circulating misleading information.
A case was filed against Mehdi and Mattu under BNS sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, for allegedly circulating "false, fabricated and misleading content" on digital and social media platforms.
"The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability," the police said in a statement.
Both have been condemning the killing of Khameinei and the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
However, hours after the registration of the case, Mehdi, an influential Shia leader, said he would not be deterred from speaking the truth.
"The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to recite government-approved condolences. They elected him to speak truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR," he said in a post on X.
Police has issued an appeal to people to refrain from violence and provocation.
"We appeal to all sections of the society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation," it said.
Police said they will take strict legal action against instigators of violence and those involved in unlawful activities.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to be on high alert and chaired a meeting of top officials of the police and army here.
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"Chaired a meeting of senior police & civil administration officials at the Police Control Room, Kashmir, to review the law and order situation. Directed the officers to remain on heightened alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity," Sinha said on X.
He appealed to the people and community leaders to maintain peace.
"I also appeal to the citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of calm and goodwill in society. Preserving peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally upon each one of us," he said.
