Bombay HC puts stay on release of Annu Kapoor's 'Hamare Baarah' till June 14

Still from Hamare Baarah

Annu Kapoor's upcoming film 'Hamare Baarah' that was slated to hit the theatres on June 7 will have to reschedule. The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the makers of the Hindi film to defer its release till June 14, 2024.

'Hamare Baarah' revolves around a man - Manzoor Ali Khan Sanjari- who, despite losing his first wife during childbirth continues to have more children with his second wife, now pregnant with her sixth. Khan refuses an abortion when the doctor highlights the risks to the mother's life during pregnancy. His daughter from the first wife decides to save her stepmother and takes her father to court to demand an abortion. The film follows the court procedure of Alfiya going against her father in court to save her step-mother's life.

During the hearing, the petitioner Azhar Tamboli, through advocates Mayur Khandeparkar, Aneesa Cheema and Rekha Musale, sought a stay on the film, saying that it does not just hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community but incorrectly portrays the Quran.

The plea also challenged the certification issued by the censor board and sought its revocation. The petitioner claimed that some of the dialogues shown in the trailer and promotional videos are objectionable and the film cannot be given a U/A certificate.

Advocate Advait Sethna, appearing for CBFC said that cuts were demanded by the committee who watched the film before passing a certificate. He added that the board does not have control over the trailers and promotional videos of the films.

Sethna submitted that the film producers would have to be called upon to withdraw trailers and that appropriate action could be taken against the filmmakers after an appropriate hearing is given.

The bench decided to hear the matter further before coming to a conclusion. The next hearing will be on June 10 and until the the court directed the makers to defer the release.

Meanwhile, lead actor Annu Kapoor also received death threats following which he also met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He said that the Chief Minister has assured the team of the protection against the elements who are issuing threats to them.

Annu Kapoor told the media: "I met with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde with regards to our film 'Hamare Baarah'. The director of our film, Kamal Chandra along with the team of the film are getting death threats. People who have been threatening us have said that they will sever the head of Kamal Chandra."

He further spoke about the Chief Minister's assurance to him and the team. "The Chief Minister has ensured and has given categorical directions to his administration to provide tight security to the team of our film so that the film, which is scheduled to release on June 7 in India and 15 other countries, faces no problem during its exhibition," he added.