’Hamare Baarah’ to hit theatres after makers agree to omit objectionable scenes

Mangalore Today News Network / India Today

Mumbai, June 19, 2024: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday allowed the release of film ’Hamare Baarah’ after the makers agreed to delete objectionable scenes. With this, the movie will hit theatres on June 21, 2024.

The court order comes in response to a writ petition which sought a ban on ’Hamare Baarah’ on the grounds that it portrayed Islam and Muslims in a negative light and distorted the Quran.

A division bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla presided over the case. Both parties agreed to alterations suggested by the court, including the removal of a specific dialogue and a Quranic verse. Additionally, two 12-second disclaimers will be added to the film.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has agreed to re-certify the film with the modifications by June 20, 2024.

The filmmakers will also cover legal costs of Rs 5 lakh to a charity chosen by the petitioner. "Violation was there vis-a-vis the trailer. So you will have to pay something towards a charity of the petitioner’s choice. Cost will have to be paid. This litigation has got the film so much unpaid publicity," the court said during a hearing on Tuesday.

During the previous hearing, the bench observed that there was "nothing objectionable" in the Annu Kapoor-starrer movie or anything against the Quran or the Muslim community. It also noted that observed that ’Hamare Baarah’ was aimed at upliftment of women.

The bench also said the movie was not one where the audience is expected to "keep their brains at home" and that the Indian public was "not gullible or silly".

Initially, the Bombay High Court had postponed the release of ’Hamare Baarah, but it later permitted the release after the makers said the objectionable portions would be deleted as directed by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC).

The petitioners then moved the Supreme Court, which last week halted the film’s release and directed the High Court to hear and take an appropriate decision.