Bombay High Court Allows Release of Film ‘Hamare Baarah’ with Edits
Today, the Bombay High Court, after an exhaustive and meticulous examination, has granted permission to release the film ‘Hamare Baarah’ on June 21, with specific changes. The court’s comprehensive review concluded that the movie does not contain any content offensive to the Quran or the Muslim community, but rather, it commended the film’s focus on women’s empowerment.
As per the court’s directives, three specific dialogues have been muted, and other contentious scenes have been removed. The bench also recommended further edits to ensure no scenes could be interpreted as objectionable. For instance, a scene involving a character using religious invocation while threatening his daughter was identified as potentially problematic. The court suggested removing this dialogue to uphold creative freedom while avoiding controversy.
The division bench, consisting of justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla, described the film, featuring actor Annu Kapoor, as a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating piece. The film is not just for entertainment, but it is intended to engage the audience’s intellect, emphasizing its purpose beyond mindless entertainment.
“The film is aimed at uplifting women. It includes a scenario where a Maulana misinterprets the Quran, with a Muslim man objecting to this interpretation on-screen. This encourages viewers to think critically rather than blindly following religious figures,” remarked the high court.
Addressing concerns raised by petitioners who alleged the film demeaned Muslims and misrepresented Islamic teachings, the court acknowledged that objections had led to the film’s initial delay. However, following revisions mandated by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC), the court found no grounds to uphold the ban.
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The court also highlighted the controversy sparked by the premature release of the film’s trailer before CBFC approval, attributing it to generating unwarranted attention. Consequently, the filmmakers were instructed to pay a penalty to be donated to a charity of the petitioners’ choosing, acknowledging the unintended publicity the litigation had brought to the film.
“There was a violation regarding the trailer release, necessitating a penalty to be paid towards the petitioner’s chosen charity. This litigation has inadvertently provided the film with significant unpaid publicity,” the court remarked, emphasizing its unwavering confidence in the Indian public’s discernment and resilience against potential provocations.
The detailed judgment will soon be accessible on the Bombay High Court’s official website.
