Bombay High Court allows release of Khuda Haafiz 2 after producers make changes suggested by CBFC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday paved way for release of the Bollywood film Khuda Haafiz 2 after assurance from the producers that the changes as suggested by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will be carried out before release on July 8..The plea filed by All India Idarae Tahfuz-e-Husainiyat, a trust and society which preaches and practices the religion and its beliefs, raised grievance against certain scenes in the film depicting Islamic rituals during Muharram.The plea said that those scenes hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslim community.As per the order recorded by the Court,“Petitioner states that 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 petitioner sought ban on the release of the film and withdrawal of the trailer from media portals.Pending the petition, the petitioners also sought restrictions curtailing the publication of trailer on all portals..Advocate Advait Sethna, appearing for CBFC, informed the Court that based on the complaints filed by the petitioners, the CBFC had suggested certain changes to the film.Advocate Simil Purohit, appearing for the producers, informed the Court that the film has been modified after making the requisite changes, and a revised certificate was also issued. He informed the Court that changing the trailer of the film would require sometime.Advocate Hiren Kamod, appearing for Zee group, stated that the after incorporation of all changes as requested, nothing more remained in the matter and the petition can be disposed of.The petitioners stated that on earlier cases too, despite undertakings, the requisite changes never really reflected in the films. However, Purohit stressed that the revised certification had come after changes had been approved..A bench of Justices SV Gangapurwala and SM Modak recorded the submissions before disposing of the plea while allowing the release of the film..Kamod was assisted by advocate Ravi Suryawansh instructed by Bar & Brief Attorney.