Even before it reaches theatres, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has found itself right in the middle of a fresh political and legal storm. Now, the conversation has taken an interesting turn with original The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen explaining why he chose not to helm the sequel, even as the franchise continues to court controversy.
With the film’s trailer and its central themes being debated online and in public forums, Sen’s comments offer a rare look into the responsibility, and the homework, he believes such stories demand.
Sudipto Sen Explains Why He Didn’t Direct The Kerala Story 2
Sudipto Sen, who directed the 2023 film The Kerala Story which later won a National Award, said he opted out of directing the sequel because the subject matter needed the same kind of long-term groundwork he had put into the first film.
In an interview with India Today, Sen said, “For the first film, I researched the subject for 10 years. I could stand by every word and visual in that film. If the sequel expands beyond Kerala into other states, I cannot rely on WhatsApp forwards or newspaper reports.”
He also underlined that projects dealing with sensitive themes need rigorous, on-ground research and long-term study, adding that without that foundation, he would not feel responsible enough to handle such material.
What The Current Controversy Around The Film Is About
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has triggered backlash after its trailer featured a sequence involving forced beef consumption as part of religious conversion. The footage drew sharp criticism from politicians and commentators, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan calling it “propaganda” and accusing it of harming the state’s secular image.
On the legal front, the Kerala High Court recently examined a plea against the film. As reported by Live Law, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed, “Kerala lives in total harmony. But you have portrayed that this is happening all over Kerala. There is a wrong indication and can also incite passion.” The judge also said he would watch the film on February 25, after asking for a screening to be arranged.
As of now, there has been no report of the film’s release being postponed.
Film Details So Far
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is a Hindi film directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The cast includes Aditi Bhatia, Ulka Gupta, and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles. The film continues in the orbit of the first instalment, following three Hindu women whose ambitions and futures derail after they become trapped in problematic marriages. The film is scheduled to release theatrically on February 27, 2026.
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