Bombay high court clears ‘Humare Baarah’ for release with conditions

In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Bombay High Court greenlit the release of the contentious film ‘Hamare Baarah,’ following the filmmakers’ agreement to remove objectionable scenes. The division bench, consisting of Justice BP Colabawalla and Justice Firdosh Pooniwalla, made this decision after concluding that the movie did not insult the religious sentiments of the Muslim community or misrepresent the teachings of the Quran.

The court’s decision comes after intense scrutiny of ‘Hamare Baarah,’ a film that delves into the issue of overpopulation and its impact on women. Despite the controversy surrounding its initial trailer, which was deemed offensive, the judges noted that the film’s intent was, in fact, the empowerment of women.

Starring Annu Kapoor, ‘Hamare Baarah’ faced backlash when its first trailer was released. However, after a thorough review, the court confirmed that all controversial scenes had been removed. “The movie is in fact for the upliftment of women,” the bench observed. They highlighted a particular scene where a Maulana misinterprets the Quran, only to be challenged by a Muslim man, reinforcing the message that individuals should think critically and not follow religious leaders blindly.

The court also imposed a fine of ₹5 lakh on the filmmakers for releasing the uncertified trailer, directing that the amount be donated to a charity chosen by the petitioner. “Violation was the in the trailer. So, you will have to pay something towards charity of the petitioner’s choice. Cost will have to be paid. This litigation has got the film so much unpaid publicity,” the judges remarked.

Originally set to release on June 7 and later postponed to June 14, ‘Hamare Baarah’ now awaits a new release date. The film, directed by Kamal Chandra, is a joint production by Birender Bhagat, Ravi S Gupta, Sanjay Nagpal, and Sheo Balak Singh.

With the court’s approval, the filmmakers hope the narrative will spark meaningful discussions on women’s rights and societal norms, free from the shadow of controversy that initially surrounded it.