‘Hamare Baarah’ faces major setback: Bombay High Court orders stay just days before its release

The makers of the film ‘Hamare Baarah’ are in shock after the Bombay High Court imposed a stay on its worldwide release just 48 hours before the scheduled premiere. The unexpected delay has left the team grappling with the implications of this last-minute decision.

“Hamare Baarah,” a film that has garnered significant attention for its bold narrative on overpopulation in Uttar Pradesh, features Annu Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, and Paritosh Tripathi. The movie addresses the critical issue of population growth and its wide-ranging effects, a topic seldom explored in Indian cinema.

In the lead-up to its release, the cast and crew, including Annu Kapoor and the directors, had met with Maharashtra CM Shri Eknath Shinde to express their gratitude for the safety and police protection provided during the release week. However, the recent court order has cast a shadow over these preparations.

Producers Birender Bhagat and Ravi S. Gupta voiced their concerns about the court’s decision, highlighting that their film had received a censor certificate and was ready for its scheduled release. They expressed their disappointment, stating, “Our film has received a certificate from the censor board. It is set to release on its scheduled date this Friday. We have invested crores of our hard-earned money in making the film, risked our entire life’s savings, and made this film with great difficulty. We are shocked & disappointed since a stay has been imposed on our film without even watching it.”

The producers explained the extent of their preparations, including signing distributor agreements and completing all screenings. Now, with the court’s stay, they face halting the release globally, risking their financial investments and livelihoods. The stay comes in response to a petition filed by activists from a specific religious community, raising concerns about the film’s content.

“Hamare Baarah,” directed by Kamal Chandra, features a screenplay by Rajan Agarwal and is jointly produced by Birender Bhagat, Ravi S Gupta, Sanjay Nagpal, and Sheo Balak Singh. The team’s plea for the film’s release underscores the gravity of their situation and the broader implications for freedom of expression in the cinematic arts.