In their petition to the High Court, the filmmakers said that the top body’s directives are arbitrary, unreasonable, and a violation of their fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Published Oct 11, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 11, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Poster of the film 'Haal'. (Supplied)
The censor board’s intervention has long been a challenge for filmmakers in India. In the latest case, the Malayalam movie Haal, starring Shane Nigam in the lead role, has hit a roadblock after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded 15 cuts.
These include a scene showing the consumption of beef biryani, “Sangham Kavalundu” (a Malayalam phrase which says sangham is there as security), a Rakhi scene, and a sequence in which the heroine dances while wearing a purdah.
It also directed them to trim specific dialogues and phrases like “Dhwaj Pranam,” “Abhyanthara Shatrukal,” and, “Ganapati Vattam,” including their mentions in the subtitles.
The CBFC has deemed these elements objectionable. According to the filmmakers, they have also been informed that even if the suggested changes are made, the film will still be issued an ‘A’ (Adults Only) certificate.
The petitioners argued that these directions are baseless and lack any legal justification.
Nishad Koya, the scriptwriter of the movie, said that Haal is a political satire that criticizes all religious and political groups. He questioned the censor board’s suggested cuts, pointing out that the film contains no violence, sexual content, or fight scenes.
Koya called the board’s recommendations “rubbish.” He argued that removing a scene showing beef biryani in a state where beef is not banned is unreasonable. He also criticised the demand to cut a scene where the heroine dances while wearing a purdah.
The censor board also asked the filmmakers to change the name of a college shown in the movie because it has a Christian name. Additionally, they questioned the inclusion of a bishop character and asked whether the makers had obtained permission from the Bishop’s House to portray the role.
Koya said the board insisted the film would receive only an ‘A’ certificate, and only if all suggested cuts are made. The filmmakers have now decided to approach the High Court.
While speaking to the media, the film’s director, Veera, said the Censor Board was trying to silence the film’s message. He claimed that artistic freedom is being suppressed and the board has become a barrier for filmmakers trying to create meaningful cinema.
Haal had already faced several delays. It was initially scheduled for release on April 24 but was later postponed to September.
“We faced many obstacles, including heavy rains, landslides in Wayanad, and other challenges. The original budget was ₹8 crore, but it doubled to ₹16 crore due to repeated delays. Now, the censor board’s decisions have made things even worse,” Veera said.
He also criticised the system where the censor board watches the film only at the end of production. “With their 15 cuts, the soul of the movie will be lost,” he added.
In their petition to the High Court, the filmmakers said that the top body’s directives are arbitrary, unreasonable, and a violation of their fundamental right to freedom of expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The petition states that Haal does not contain any visuals or dialogues that incite hatred, promote enmity, or depict violence. Instead, it offers social commentary and critiques certain prevailing social issues. The makers argue they have every right to express their views through creative work. They claim the government cannot use censorship to restrict this basic freedom.
The filmmakers have requested the High Court to quash the censor board’s order so that the movie can be released.
Meanwhile, Santosh T. Kuruvila, producer of Shane Nigam’s film Balti (currently in theatres), expressed shock at the censor board’s recommendations. In a Facebook post, he wrote that he had watched Haal at the request of its producer. He said the film covers a relevant topic and he couldn’t understand why the board took such a harsh stance.
“The film discusses a topic that will spark conversation after its release. It’s disappointing to see the censor board cutting a filmmaker’s freedom of expression, especially at a time when technology is growing and more films are being made,” he said.
He also added that the situation is worrying for producers. After investing heavily in a film, facing such censorship can harm the future of cinema.
Haal is produced by JVJ Productions and is also planned to be dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.
The film features debutant Sakshi Vaidya as the female lead. It also stars Johny Antony, Nishanth Sagar, Madhupal, and Joy Mathew in key roles.
Earlier this year, the censor board refused to grant a certificate to the Malayalam film Janaki vs State of Kerala. The CBFC claimed the film could hurt religious sentiments, as it portrayed a rape survivor named Janaki—another name for the Hindu goddess Sita. According to the board, this undermined the dignity and sanctity of the name. The makers were forced to make cuts before releasing the film.
The Tamil film Manushi, produced by Vetrimaaran, also faced issues with the CBFC. The board initially rejected it, stating the film went against the integrity of the State and contained scenes that were against national interest. It was only after intervention by the Madras High Court that the film received certification.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
