“Sunshine Pictures would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material. Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms,” said the statement.
They also asked the media houses not to spread such news. “We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion,” read the statement.
The statement comes after the Kerala High Court said that it would watch the movie before giving out the final verdict, while considering the petitions raised over the film’s contents. The petitioner stated that while the trailer and teaser talk about women from three states, including Kerala, who are coerced into religious conversions, the movie is branded as ‘Kerala Story’.
They added, “Such a portrayal has the potential to stigmatise an entire regional population, disturb public order, and incite communal and regional disharmony.”
“Apprehensions of people in Kerala cannot be ignored because you have given the name Kerala. Normally, I do not interfere with any movie because it is a creation of an art, but then you say it is inspired by true events and named it Kerala, which can create some communal tension,” noted Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas. He also added, “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.”