The makers of the Malayalam film Haal have moved the Kerala High Court challenging directions by the Central Board of Film Certification to delete or modify several dialogues and scenes, including one that involves eating beef biryani, The Indian Express reported.

Haal was originally scheduled to release on September 12, but the date was postponed, The News Minute reported.

The film board informed the producers, JVJ Productions, that the film was not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, but could be certified “A” (adults only) after making the prescribed deletions and modifications.

“The narrative of the film deals with socio-cultural dynamics and also involves religious sensitivities,” the newspaper quoted the board as informing the producers.

The film’s director, Veera, said that the certification board’s regional office in Thiruvananthapuram had earlier agreed to grant a screening certificate but later referred the film to a revising committee without informing the makers, The Indian Express reported.

“They allege a hidden agenda behind the movie,” the newspaper quoted Veera as saying. “Our film does not depict violence or cruelty. It is an interfaith love story, highlighting the choice to stick to one’s faith despite pressure for religious conversion.”

He also questioned why the film would be restricted to adult audiences even after the cuts.

The High Court has admitted the petition, and has sought a response from the Central Board of Film Certification at the next hearing on October 14.

Producers Juby Thomas and Veera have requested that the court direct the film board to issue the certificate as soon as possible and consider framing fresh guidelines for censorship applications.

Among the film board’s objections are lines referencing “dhwaj pranamam,” a salutation associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, “Ganapati Vattam,” the name the Bharatiya Janata Party had proposed for Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad, and “abhyantara shatrukkal”, meaning internal enemies.

The RSS is the parent organisation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.

The board also sought the deletion of a song sequence in which a woman uses a burqa to hide her identity, a police interrogation scene and the blurring of the name of “Holy Angels College of Nursing”, according to The Indian Express.

The filmmakers were also asked to obtain consent from the Thamrassery Bishop for scenes depicting him and to modify scenes showing alleged discrimination against certain religious groups.