With just days left for The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond to hit theatres, the film has landed in the middle of a high-stakes legal face-off in Kerala. On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court took a hard look at the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to clear the film, warning that movies dealing with sensitive themes cannot ignore the real-world impact they may have on public harmony.
The case revolves around petitions seeking a stay on the film’s release and cancellation of its CBFC certificate. The Court indicated it will first watch the film before passing further orders, signalling that the matter is being treated with urgency given the film’s proximity to release.
Kerala High Court To Watch The Film Before Deciding On Stay Pleas
During the hearing, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas pointedly questioned whether the CBFC had sufficiently weighed Kerala’s social context while certifying the film. “Kerala is so secular. It lives with total harmony but have you considered this when something is portrayed as happening all over the state? There is a wrong indication and can even incite passion and that is when the censor board (CBFC) comes in picture,” the judge remarked in court.
The judge also noted that since the film is projected as being inspired by true events, concerns raised by the petitioners cannot be brushed aside at this stage. “The film is projected as being inspired by true events and that, prima facie shows that the concerns raised by the petitioners appear to have some justification,” Justice Thomas observed.
Another key point flagged by the Court was the title itself. Justice Thomas underlined that using the word “Kerala” heightens public apprehension when the film claims a true-event basis. “Apprehensions of people in Kerala cannot be ignored because you have given the name Kerala… you say it is inspired by true events and named it Kerala, which can create some communal tension,” he said.
In court, Senior Advocate S. Sreekumar, appearing for the producers, agreed to remove the existing teasers until the High Court delivers its verdict. He also offered to arrange a special screening for the judge, which the Court accepted as it prepares to view the film before proceeding further.
Petitioners have challenged the certification under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, alleging misrepresentation, regional vilification and the potential to trigger communal disharmony. The matter is expected to be heard again after the screening is scheduled.
Film Details: The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under the Sunshine Pictures banner. The film stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in leading roles. Positioned as a sequel to The Kerala Story (2023), it follows a narrative of young women who, according to the makers, get trapped in conversion-related rackets, with the film reiterating that it is inspired by true events. The film is scheduled to release theatrically on February 27, 2026.
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