Bombay High Court allows release of 'Hamare Baarah' movie after deleting offensive parts

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday allowed the release of movie 'Hamare Baarah' after its makers agreed to delete objectionable portions. [Azhar Basha Tamboli v Ravi S Gupta and Ors.].A bench of Justices BP Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla viewed the film and suggested changes which both the movie makers and the petitioners agreed to..Pursuant to this, the Court directed the makers to make necessary changes before releasing the movie.The makers said that necessary changes would be made and a certificate would be obtained from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)..The Court was hearing pleas seeking a ban on the release of the movie on the ground that it distorted the Quran and was derogatory towards the Islamic faith and the Muslim community.The film, originally slated for release on June 7 and then postponed to June 14, is now likely to hit the screens on June 21..The Court also imposed ₹5 lakh cost on the makers of the movie for releasing trailers before obtaining CBFC certification. Earlier this month, the High Court had postponed the release of the movie. It later permitted the release after the makers said the objectionable portions would be deleted as directed by the CBFC.The petitioners then moved the Supreme Court, which stayed the release of the movie and directed the High Court to hear and take an appropriate decision..During the hearing before the High Court today, the parties submitted consent terms to the Court and said that they had arrived at a consensus regarding removal of objectionable parts of the movie.The petitioners expressed non-objection against the release of the movie once the changes are made.Accordingly, the Court allowed the release of the movie..The petitioner was represented by advocates Mayur Khandeparkar, Aneesa Cheema and Aditya Miskita, who were instructed by advocates Rekha Musale and Nitin Rajguru.Additional Government Pleader Kavita N Solunke appeared for the State.Viacom 18 was represented by advocates Madhu Gadodia, Sujay Mukherji and Deveesha Tudekar, who were instructed by Anand & Naik.CBFC and the Union of India was represented by advocates Advait M Sethna, Ashutosh Mishta and Poushali Roychoudhury.The movie makers were represented by Senior Advocate Rahul Narichania and advocates Siddharth Thacker, Sunilkumar Neelambaran, Jeyhaan Carnac and Aaron Kevin Fernandes, who were instructed by Mulla & Mulla & Craigie Blunt & Caroe..[Read Order]