The High Court on Monday banned the promotion and screening of the Hansal Mehta directed Indian film “Faraaz” in Bangladeshi cinema halls and online platforms.
After the hearing of a writ petition, the High Court bench of Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir delivered this order.
Advocate Ahsanul Karim was in the hearing on behalf of the writ in the court.
The writ was filed in the High Court on Sunday seeking directions to not release “Faraaz” in Bangladesh.
Ruba Ahmed, the mother of Abinta Kabir, who was killed by militants in the Holey Artisan Attack on July 1, 2016, filed the writ.
The writ also requested to issue a ruling regarding the release of the film.
In the writ petition, the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been made the defendant.
Ruba Ahmed made the same demand in a press conference on January 19 at Abinta Kabir Foundation premises in Dhaka, claiming that the film could damage the reputation of Bangladesh.
Later, the petitioner's lawyer, Ahsanul Karim said the petition was filed to stop projecting the film on cinema halls in Bangladesh as well as on online platforms.
“The footage in the movie shows two militants talking, one of whom was or is in a relation with Abinta. Her dress up was shown in such a way that educated families in our civilized society would never wear. The character of the girl was degraded in the movie,” said Ahsanul Karim.
“Also, the movie showed the failure of law enforcement officers which poses serious questions about our sovereignty. For these reasons, this movie should not be shown on any platform in Bangladesh,” he said.
“BTRC has been requested not to allow the film on any platform including OTT, Netflix and Amazon,” he added.
The film “Faraaz” is loosely based on the Holey Artisan Attack on July 1, 2016. Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain and Abinta Kabir were killed by militants in the Holey Artisan Attack alongside Tarishi Jain and Ishrat Akhond, among others.
Two police officers were also killed in the attack. Later, five militants were killed in a commando operation.
Produced by T-Series and Benaras Media Works, the movie is directed by Hansal Mehta and was released in India on February 3.