Supreme Court Halts Release of ‘Hamare Baarah’

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has stayed the release of the film ‘Hamare Baarah,’ starring Annu Kapoor, following allegations that the movie is derogatory to the Islamic faith and married Muslim women. The film was originally scheduled to be released on June 14. The apex court’s decision came on Thursday after it reviewed a petition challenging the movie’s certification.

Supreme Court’s Decision

A vacation bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta ordered the suspension of the movie’s release until the Bombay High Court resolves the petition challenging the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court emphasized the urgency of the matter, instructing the High Court to expedite the hearing.

Offensive Content Concerns

During the hearing, the Supreme Court justices mentioned that they had watched the teaser of ‘Hamare Baarah’ and found it “offensive.” This aligns with the petitioner’s concerns, Azhar Basha Tamboli, who had previously approached the High Court seeking to revoke the film’s certification and halt its release.

Producers’ Reaction

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s ruling, producer Virender Bhagat expressed gratitude to the court for addressing the issue promptly. Bhagat reiterated that the CBFC had deemed the movie focused on women’s empowerment and population awareness. Speaking to ANI, he said, “The censor board said that this is a movie on women’s empowerment and population awareness and had submitted the report to the Bombay High Court.”

Legal Proceedings

Previously, the Bombay High Court had permitted the release of the film on the condition that two dialogues, which were objected to by the petitioners, would be deleted. The court had also expressed dissatisfaction with a review committee’s delay in providing a conclusive report on the film’s content, prompting the filmmakers to agree to the deletions to avoid further delays.

Broader Impact

The Karnataka government has banned the release or broadcast of ‘Hamare Baarah’ in the state for two weeks or until further notice, citing potential communal tensions. This decision came after considering requests from several minority organizations and delegations, as well as after reviewing the trailer.

Film Details

Jointly produced by Birender Bhagat, Ravi S Gupta, Sanjay Nagpal, and Sheo Balak Singh, and directed by Kamal Chandra, ‘Hamare Baarah’ aims to address the pressing social issue of overpopulation. The film features a cast including Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, and Paritosh Tripathi.

Upcoming Projects

Meanwhile, Aamir Khan, who shares a special bond with his mother Zeenat Hussain, celebrated her 90th birthday recently. On the professional front, Aamir is producing ‘Lahore 1947,’ starring Sunny Deol and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film is set for a Republic Day release next year and marks the first collaboration between Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol.

The Supreme Court’s decision has added a significant twist to the release of ‘Hamare Baarah,’ underscoring the ongoing tensions and sensitivities around its content.