On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court granted permission for the release of the film ‘Hamare Baarah’ on 21 June, after deeming objectionable content amendments.
A division bench comprising Justice B P Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla delivered the verdict in response to a writ petition seeking a ban on the film due to its controversial portrayal of Islam and Muslims.
Case Overview:
The court mandated specific alterations to the film, which all parties involved agreed upon, thus paving the way for its release.
Notably, the filmmakers consented to remove a contentious dialogue and a Quranic verse.
Additionally, the court instructed the filmmakers to include two 12-second disclaimers and directed them to donate Rs 5 lakh as petition costs to a charity chosen by the petitioner.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has committed to re-certifying the film post-modification, ensuring compliance with the court’s directives.
Originally slated for release on 7 June and subsequently delayed to 14 June, the film’s distribution faced legal challenges culminating in the High Court’s intervention.
Social worker Azhar B Tamboli, who initiated the writ petition, argued that ‘Hamare Baarah’ misrepresented Quranic teachings and portrayed the Muslim community in a negative light.
Tamboli also accused the CBFC of disregarding legal guidelines in certifying the film, alleging violations under Articles 19(2) and 25 of the Constitution.
The legal battle saw the filmmakers appealing to the Supreme Court, which stayed the film’s release pending the Bombay High Court’s final ruling.
Produced by Radhika G Film & Newtech Media Entertainment in collaboration with producers Ravi S. Gupta, Birender Bhagat, Sanjay Nagpal, and S.B. Singh, ‘Hamare Baarah’ is directed by Kamal Chandra.
The ensemble cast includes Ashwini Kalsekar, Rahul Bagga, Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, Aditi Bhatpahri, Paritosh Tiwari, Parth Samthaan, Shaan Saxena, among others.
While the film’s trailer initially sparked controversy among Muslim intellectuals, who alleged misinterpretation and defamation of Islam, the court-mandated modifications have sought to address these concerns.
With the legal hurdles now cleared, ‘Hamare Baarah’ will release on 21 June, subject to the revised certification process by the CBFC.
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