Bombay High Court Allows Release Of "Khuda Haafiz 2" As Producers Agree To Changes Recommended By CBFC

The Bombay High Court disposed of a petition against the release of the movie Khuda Haafiz Chapter II after it was informed that changes suggested by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) were already made and additional changes to the film's trailer would be reflected before its release, on July 8, 2022. The film is produced by Cinergy, Panorama Studios and Zee Studios. The bench of Justices SV Gangapurwala and SM Modak heard the petition filed by 12 Islamic organisations including the All India Idarae Tahfuz-e-Husainiyat, that objected to the negative portrayal of zajeer-ka-matam in the film's trailer. It is an act of inflicting pain on oneself in the prophet's name during the holy month of Muharram. The petitioners through advocate Makesh Dongarge sought to withhold and remove audio video content containing matam in any form and also usage of Imam Husain's name in the movie. "The film to be released hurts religious sentiments of petitioner and depicts their religious acts of Muharram rituals in a bad taste because of which the petitioners and the community sentiments are hurt," the court said recording their submission. Advocate Advait Sethna counsel for CBFC informed the court that the board had already acted on the petitioner's complaint and suggested certain changes to the film. These included deleting the word "Husain" from the film's song replacing it with "junoon," and also deleting the scene wherein the particular blade used for zanjeer-ka-matam, is portrayed in a negative light. However, the scene of zanjeer-ka-matam was allowed remain as it is an event happening in the film's background. Advocate Simil Purohit appearing for the host of film makers said that the changes directed by CBFC were already made and a revised film certificate had also been issued. However, changing the film's trailer would require some time. With an undertaking that all the changes, including those to the trailer, would be reflected by the time the film released, the Bombay High Court disposed of the petition.Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Bom) 243

Bombay High Court Allows Release Of "Khuda Haafiz 2" As Producers Agree To Changes Recommended By CBFC

Sharmeen Hakim

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