The Kerala High Court on Friday cleared the release of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond by lifting a 15-day interim stay imposed by a single-judge bench. The single bench, led by Justice Bechu Kurien Thomas, had temporarily halted the film’s release after petitions challenged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance, citing concerns over communal and regional sensitivity.
A division bench comprising Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan set aside the single-judge order, allowing the film to release as planned. The bench acted on an appeal filed late Thursday night by the film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who argued that the movie does not denigrate Kerala or any religious community and only portrays a social issue.
Producer Warns of Financial Losses
Shah’s counsel informed the court that any delay in release would lead to severe financial losses, as the film was scheduled to be screened in 1,500 theatres across India and over 300 screens overseas on February 27. “A stay would financially finish us,” the producer’s team argued during the hearing.
The single-judge bench had earlier raised concerns about a “prima facie possibility of communal disharmony or denigration of a community” in the film. Justice Thomas had observed that the CBFC may not have applied proper scrutiny while issuing a U/A certificate, and directed the board to review representations filed against the film.
Petitioners Object to Trailer and Title
The petitions against the movie were filed after a biologist, Sreedev Namboodiri, raised objections to the trailer, claiming it portrayed Kerala negatively and could have wider social consequences. The petitioner contended that the film’s teaser tells the stories of three women from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan who allegedly fall victim to terrorist groups that “weaponize romance” to convert women and alter demographics.
Namboodiri also criticized the film’s title, arguing that branding it ‘The Kerala Story’ unfairly singles out the state, while similar incidents in other regions are also referenced. The petition warned that the trailer and title could stigmatize Kerala, disturb public order, and incite communal and regional tension. Acting on this plea, the Kerala High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the CBFC, and the film’s producer.
About the Film
Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story 2 focuses on young Hindu women allegedly lured into interfaith marriages, subsequently assaulted, stripped of their rights, and forced to convert to Islam. The narrative follows three women from different states, showing how they become isolated from their customs and trapped in violent, loveless marriages.
The film positions itself as a cautionary tale, warning young women about the potential risks of interfaith relationships. The lead cast includes Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha.
Court Notes Potential for Disturbance
While lifting the interim stay, the High Court acknowledged the concerns raised about communal and regional sensitivity but allowed the producers to release the film. The court said that the final decision on the CBFC certification and objections will follow judicial scrutiny, but at this stage, no grounds were found to prevent the release.
The film’s producers are yet to officially announce the confirmed release date following the court’s order, but screenings are expected to proceed as planned across India and overseas.
