Sharing the trailer of “Hum Do, Hamare Baarah” on social media (here, here, and here), it is being claimed that the Supreme Court of India has accepted Azhar Basha’s petition and banned the film for depicting harsh realities about the community. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: The Supreme Court of India has accepted Azhar Basha’s petition and has banned the release of the film “Hamare Baarah.”
Fact: The film “Hamare Baarah” (originally “Hum Do, Hamare Baarah”) faced legal issues for allegedly misrepresenting the Quran and offending Islam. Azhar Basha Tamboli filed a petition with the Bombay High Court to revoke its certification and stop its release. The petitioners moved the Supreme Court which stayed the release of the film until the Bombay High Court made a final decision. Later, the Bombay High Court allowed the film to be released on 21 June 2024 after the makers agreed to remove certain parts. Hence, the claim made in the post is Misleading.
The Supreme Court of India stayed the release of the film until the Bombay High Court made a final decision. Later, the Bombay High Court allowed the film to be released after the makers agreed to remove certain parts.
The film “Hamare Baarah” (originally “Hum Do, Hamare Barah”) which was originally set to release on 7 June 2024 faced legal issues for allegedly misrepresenting the Quran and offending Islam. Azhar Basha Tamboli filed a petition with the Bombay High Court to revoke its certification and stop its release. He argued that the film violated the Cinematograph Act, of 1952, Article 19(2), and Article 25 of the Constitution.
The high court initially postponed the release to 14 June 2024 but allowed it after the filmmakers agreed to remove certain objectionable scenes. However, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court, which stayed the release till the high court made a final decision on 13 June 2024.
On 19 June 2024, the Bombay High Court allowed the film “Hamare Baarah” to be released on 21 June 2024, after the filmmakers agreed to make some changes. They were to mute certain dialogues and a Quranic verse and add two disclaimers, each lasting 12 seconds. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) also agreed to recertify the film by noon on 20 June 2024. The petitioner agreed not to object to the film’s release after these changes were made (here and here).
To sum up, the Supreme Court halted the release of “Hamare Baarah,” but the Bombay High Court later permitted it after the filmmakers agreed to remove certain parts.
