Kerala HC Upholds 'Haal' Film Ruling, Reinforces Artistic Freedom

• Kerala High Court upheld a single judge's ruling on the Malayalam film "Haal", dismissing appeals from the Union Government and Catholic Congress.
• The ruling quashed the film's A-certificate and six mandated cuts, reinforcing artistic freedom.
• The Catholic Congress had argued the film misrepresented a Bishop and was "propaganda" against "Love Jihad".
• The single judge previously ruled that film depictions fall within creative expression and cannot be censored based on group sensitivities.
• The court found four of the six mandated cuts unwarranted, including scenes of a Christian heroine in a burqa and visuals of a Bishop's residence.

Why It Matters: This ruling protects artistic freedom from censorship.