Karnataka govt bans screening Hamare Baarah after Muslim organisations raise concerns

The Karnataka government has banned the screening of the Annu Kapoor headliner Hamare Baarah for at least two weeks after some Muslim organisations raised concerns.

In an order, the government stalled the release of the film and its trailer in electronic media, social media, film theatres, private television channels or other media.

The order said several Muslim organisations had appealed to the government not to allow the screening of the movie which portrays Islam in an "instigative and derogatory manner", and giving permission to such a film would lead to hatred between faiths and communities.

The organisations said a conspiracy has been going on to target a particular faith, disturb peace and hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.

Directed by Kamal Chandra, the film also features Ashwini Kalsekar, Manoj Joshi, Abhimanyu Singh, Parth Samthaan, Paritosh Tripathi, Aditi Bhatpahri, and Ishlin Prasad, among others. Hamare Baarah has been jointly produced by Ravi S Gupta, Birender Bhagat, and Sanjay Nagpal, with Trilok Nath Prasad as co-producer.