The makers of ‘Hamare Baarah’ have received a warning from the Bombay High Court, putting them on notice that releasing the trailer before securing CBFC certification could result in a fine. Read on.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court recently watched the movie “Hamare Baarah,” featuring Anu Kapoor. Despite initial concerns, the court found nothing in the film to be disrespectful towards the Quran or the Muslim community or have the potential to incite violence. It’s worth noting that the film’s original trailer, which might have triggered some concerns, has been pulled down. Any objectionable content within the movie has also been carefully edited out. Scroll down to find more details.
Bombay HC Asks Makers To Take Down Controversial Scene
The court has made it clear that a fine will be imposed on the movie makers if they release the film’s trailer without the compulsory certification from the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). The film is regarded as a “stimulating cinematic experience” necessitating viewer participation on an interaction level, instead of just savouring it passively. The plot centralises on the empowerment of women showcasing a scene where a Maulana misconstrues the Quran, drawing objections from a Muslim individual. This particular sequence underscores the significance of rational contemplation rather than adhering blindly to spiritual figures like the Maulanas.
The High Court found itself examining multiple appeals that sought a ban on the movie. The claimants argued that the film showed an unkind view of the Muslim community and misrepresented the teachings of the Quran.
Initially, the Bombay HC postponed the film’s release, changing it from June 7 to June 14. The court finally gave a green light for the movie’s launch, but only after the producers agreed to cut out the contentious lines as directed by the CBFC. The folks who brought this issue to court didn’t settle there and escalated it to the Supreme Court. Consequently, the movie’s debut was put on hold as the Supreme Court commanded the High Court to give a final verdict on this case.
After taking out any contentious bits on Tuesday, the judges sat down to screen the film, asserting that it didn’t have any elements promoting aggression. Nevertheless, they did suggest a scrub on a few snippets that could stir up controversy. If all parties come to a consensus to drop the problematic parts, they can put forth the agreement terms for endorsement. By Wednesday, it’s anticipated that the court will issue a permit for the film’s debut.
The court has issued a ruling where the film producer is penalized for violating some rules concerning the movie trailer. Consequently, the producers are instructed to contribute to a charitable organization of the complainant’s choice. Interestingly, the controversy was deemed to have provided immense free attention to the movie by the court. The judges reassured that the film had no elements that could incite violence, underlining their belief in the maturity and discernment of the Indian viewership.
The judicial body sided with the plaintiffs, acknowledging the issues present in the trailer and promotional artwork. The film creators were cautioned about potentially offending religious believers through veiled inclusions of dialogues and scenes under the banner of artistic liberty. The presiding judges underscored how filmmakers need to exercise discretion with their content, especially to avoid offending religious sentiments. As Muslims form the country’s second largest religious demographic, it was noted that it’s important their faith is respected and upheld.
