After clearing all legal hurdles, Shane Nigam’s Haal is officially set to hit theatres on December 25. The romantic drama joins a crowded Christmas box office that already includes Vrusshabha starring Mohanlal, Sarvam Maya headlined by Nivin Pauly, and Valathu Vashathe Kallan featuring Biju Menon and Joju George.
For Haal, the confirmation of its release date marks the end of a long and closely watched chapter. Directed by debutant Veeraa and written by Nishad Koya, the film had been in the news for months following objections raised by the Censor Board of Film Certification. The CBFC had demanded the removal of certain portions, including a scene depicting the consumption of beef biryani, and maintained that screening permission would be granted only if the suggested cuts were implemented.
Court intervention and certification clarity
Unwilling to comply with the proposed deletions, the makers of Haal approached the High Court, challenging the CBFC’s directive. The legal battle that followed drew widespread attention, particularly given the nature of the objections. A Single Bench of the court eventually struck down four of the proposed cuts, offering relief to the filmmakers.
Subsequently, appeals filed by the CBFC and the Catholic Congress against the Single Bench order were dismissed. With the matter settled, Haal was granted certification with a UA 16+ rating, effectively clearing the path for its theatrical release. The verdict was seen as a significant moment for the film, allowing it to reach audiences without compromising its narrative integrity.
Set against a romantic backdrop, Haal features debutante Sakshi Vaidya as the female lead opposite Shane Nigam. The ensemble cast includes Johny Antony, Madhupal, Sangeetha Madhavan Nair, Joy Mathew, Nishant Sagar, Niyas Becker, Riyaz Narmakala, Suresh Krishna, Raveendran, Sohan Seenulal, Manoj KU, Unniraja, and Sreedhanya.
The film’s technical team includes composer Nandhagopan V, cinematographer Ravi Chandran, and editor Akash Joseph Varghese. Haal is produced by Juby Thomas under the banner of JVJ Productions.
Music controversy and Atif Aslam track
Even as the film’s legal issues were resolved, Haal found itself in the spotlight again due to a music related development. Earlier this Friday, the makers clarified that they could not release Atif Aslam’s version of the song Hijr on any digital platform due to the central government’s directive banning content from Pakistan. Addressing the situation, the team stated, “some songs may currently be unavailable on platforms,” and added, “We know this isn’t easy and truly appreciate your understanding and support. It’s also our time to stand with our nation. If there are any updates, we’ll be sure to keep you informed.”
An alternate version of Hijr, sung by Ankit Tiwari, is currently available on YouTube. Composer Nandhagopan V later confirmed that Atif Aslam had indeed recorded a song for the film, though he initially refrained from naming the track. Expressing admiration for the singer, the composer also thanked Atif for lending his voice to the project.
The makers have since confirmed that the song in question is Hijr, which would have marked Atif Aslam’s debut in Malayalam cinema. The track is expected to be released on streaming platforms once the government lifts the ban on content originating from Pakistan.
For Shane Nigam, Haal marks an important release following his last appearance in the Tamil Malayalam bilingual Balti. The actor also has Dridam, a thriller in which he plays a police officer, lined up for release. As Haal heads into a competitive festive window, its journey from controversy to clearance has already made it one of the most closely followed Malayalam releases of the season.
Also Read: Shane Nigam’s Haal Finally Clears Legal Storm, Sets Course for a December Release
