Beef Biriyani scene: Censor board demands cut in Malayalam movie
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Kochi: CBFC has directed the removal of several scenes, including those depicting the eating of beef biriyani and dialogues on 'dhwaj pranam', from the upcoming Malayalam movie 'Haal' starring Shine Nigam, reported PTI.
CBFC demanded that the movie makers cut dialogues and visuals deemed derogatory to the Sangh Parivar, such as references to 'dhwaj pranam', 'Ganapathi vattam', and 'sangham kavalund'. 'Dhwaj pranam' means salutation to the flag and is associated with the RSS. 'Ganapathi vattam' was a name suggested by BJP leaders for Sultan Bathery in Wayanad. 'Sangham Kavalund' implies "the Sangh will protect you".
The board has asked for the deletion of beef biriyani eating scenes and the blurring of ‘Rakhi' visuals wherever they appear.
Meanwhile, the producer and director of 'Haal' have approached the Kerala High Court.
They argued that the film contains no violence or cruelty, apart from criticism of certain social evils, and that the delay amounts to a violation of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.
The petition sought interim relief, directing the censor board to process their application, and also urged the court to consider framing fresh guidelines for censorship, including a two-stage system—one at the script stage and another after completion of the film.
The High Court has also been requested to appoint an advocate commissioner to watch the film and report on its content.
On the recommendation of its Revising Committee, CBFC granted an ‘A' certificate to the film, claiming that its narrative addressed socio-cultural dynamics and involved religious sensitivities.
Also, in a letter to producer Juby Thomas of JVJ Productions, the Central Board of Film Certification said the excisions and alterations specified in the annexure should be carried out before the certificate is issued.
The annexure mentions the removal of a song sequence where the character Maria uses Muslim attire to conceal her identity, deletion of scenes stereotyping communities, such as a police interrogation of schoolboys and a dialogue referring to Kannadigas, and removal of dialogues and scenes affecting Christian sentiments, PTI reported.