Anurag Kashyap is not known for soft-pedalling, and he is not starting now. The filmmaker, in Kochi for the Filmfare Awards, has weighed in on the storm around The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond with a blunt takedown that has reignited debate around the film’s messaging, intent and marketing.
The sequel, like the first instalment, has sparked sharp reactions over its “Inspired by many true events” positioning and the political temperature it tends to generate. Kashyap’s comments arrive just as the film faces legal scrutiny in Kerala, putting the spotlight back on what the film is claiming, and what regulators have cleared.
Latest Update: Kashyap Brands The Film “Propaganda,” Calls The Move “Greedy”
Speaking to reporters at the Kochi airport, Kashyap dismissed the film outright, saying, “The Kerala Story is bullsh*t propaganda.” He also took a swipe at a moment from the trailer that has been widely discussed online, referencing the viral beef scene and remarking, “Aisa beef kaun khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai (Who feeds someone beef like this? No one is fed even khichdi in this manner).”
Kashyap then questioned the makers’ intent, alleging it was designed to create division for commercial gain. “They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money,” he said.
Kerala High Court Issues Notice On Petition Challenging CBFC Certification
Even as Kashyap’s remarks spread, a parallel controversy has moved into the courtroom. The Kerala High Court has issued notice to the producers of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond on a writ petition that challenges the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification.
The petition objects to the teaser and trailer, arguing that the promotional material depicts women from multiple states being lured into relationships and coerced into religious conversion, while the title ties allegations of terrorism, forced conversion and demographic conspiracy specifically to Kerala.
The plea also flags the teaser’s closing Hindi slogan, “Ab sahenge nahin… ladenge (We will not tolerate it anymore… we will fight),” arguing it could be seen as a call for retaliatory action and may have the potential to inflame communal tension. The petition alleges the CBFC did not adequately apply safeguards under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which bars certification for content that can harm public order or incite offences.
About The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The makers have positioned it as an expansion of the earlier film’s central theme, with the story widening beyond Kerala. The film has been promoted as being inspired by true events and its trailer has drawn backlash for specific scenes and slogans that critics argue risk communalising the narrative.
Anurag Kashyap’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Over the last few years, Kashyap has stayed prolific across directing, acting and writing. He directed Dobaaraa (2022) and followed it up with Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat (2023). His noir thriller Kennedy finally arrived for Indian audiences on ZEE5 on February 20, 2026, after a long delay since its festival run.
As an actor, Kashyap featured in the Tamil thriller Maharaja (2024), which later began streaming on Netflix, expanding his on-screen footprint beyond Hindi cinema.
Next, Kashyap is set to return to theatres as director with Bandar, headlined by Bobby Deol, which is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 22, 2026.
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