The movie ‘Faraaz’, which is based on the worst terrorist attack in Bangladesh, has been released in India after the Delhi High Court refused to block the release of the film.
Some of the victims’ family members made every effort to stop the release of the film but to no avail as their request went in vain.
Two mothers, whose daughters were killed in the terrorist attack in 2016 on Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka, spared no effort to stop the Bollywood film.
Families of two victims-- Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain-- had filed case against the filmmakers stating that the film is named after the girls’ best friend Faraaz and the film depicted the two victims in a bad light.
The Indian court adjourned the appeal made by the mothers of Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain. Later, the movie ‘Faraaz’ was released on February 3 following the disposal by the court.
Now families of Holey Artisan Bakery terrorist attack victims begin legal battle in Bangladesh so that the movie cannot be released in any cinema and online platforms in the country.
Ruba Ahmed, the mother of Abinta Kabir who was killed by militants in the attack on July 1 in 2016 when 28 other people were also killed, filed a writ petition with the High Court on February 12. Advocate Md Mostafizur Rahman filed the writ petition on behalf of Ruba Ahmed.
The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Iqbal Kabir held hearing on the issue on Sunday (February 19) and fixed Monday (February 20) to hear the writ petition further and issue order in this regard.
In the writ petition, direction of the higher court against the promotion of ‘Faraaz’ movie on online platforms, including OTT, Netflix and Amazon has been sought.
Information Secretary, Home Secretary, IGP and BTRC have been made defendants in the writ petition.
Senior lawyer Advocate Ahsanul Karim and Advocate Farzana Khan Neela stood in the hearing on behalf of the writ petition, while Deputy Attorney General Bipul Bagmar and Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad represented the state.
Later, Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad told the media that the writ petition regarding ‘Faraaz’ movie has been heard by the court. The HC bench asked the lawyers of the state to see what kind of material is in the movie. The High Court will give an order in this regard on Monday (today).
Earlier, Ruba Ahmed made the same demand in a press conference on January 19 on Abinta Kabir Foundation premises in Dhaka, claiming that the Indian film could damage the reputation of Bangladesh.
Advocate Ahsanul Karim said the writ petition was filed to stop projecting the film in cinema 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 Kabir. Her apparel 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 the lawyer.
He further said, “The movie also showed the failure of law enforcement agencies of Bangladesh which poses serious questions about our sovereignty. That is why, this movie should not be shown in any platform of Bangladesh.”
Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain were killed by militants in the Holey Artisan Attack alongside 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 Indian filmmaker Hansal Mehta and was released in India on February 3. However, ‘Faraaz’ carries a disclaimer asserting that it is a fictional film based on true events. The disclaimer was made following the direction of the Delhi High Court.
But Ruba Ahmed said that the movie contains unsubstantiated suppositions and factual inaccuracies and will dishonour her daughter’s memory. She has been alleging that the ‘Faraaz’ was made by violating her slain daughter's privacy, without the family's consent and by presenting false information.
The full-length feature film follows a shy 20-year-old by the same name, who stood up to homegrown Islamic State terrorist while taken hostage during the 2016 attack.
The ‘Faraaz’ trailer shows Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, the central character, as portrayed by Zahan Kapoor.
According to the story, Faraaz went to the Holey Artisan restaurant that night to meet his two friends Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain. As the terrorists stormed into the restaurant and segregated the diners, Faraaz was given the option to walk free. He refused to abandon his friends. The three friends were later killed.
Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain’s family members said the trauma behind that night is too raw and that such movies that make money out of people’s real emotions should be banned forever.
Ruba Ahmed issued multiple legal notices to the Indian film director and others concerned to stop the movie. Later, Ruba Ahmed and Jain’s mother Tulika Jain filed a case against Hansal Mehta and producer Bhushan Kumar in the Delhi High Court in 2021.
The court halted the film’s release for six months, but ultimately ruled that there was ‘no prima-facie case" and no personal loss to the petitioners’.
