The Kerala Story 2 Release: The Kerala High Court is set to continue hearing petitions challenging the release of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond today, with a decision expected ahead of its scheduled February 27 release.
The matter comes after petitions were filed seeking a stay on the film’s release, citing concerns over its potential impact on communal harmony in the state.
According to a report published by The Times of India, the court continued hearing arguments from all sides on Wednesday. The pleas were filed by Sreedev Namboothiri from Kannur and Athul Roy. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas adjourned the matter after submissions remained incomplete, with the producers and petitioners presenting detailed arguments.
The Kerala Story 2 Title, Teasers Questioned In Court
The petitioners contended that the film’s title and promotional content could create a misleading association with Kerala. They argued that during a promotional event in Delhi, 37 women were introduced as victims of alleged forced religious conversion, but none were reportedly from Kerala. They also questioned the producers’ stand that teasers and trailers are separate from the main feature, asserting that such material shapes public perception and therefore cannot be dismissed as inconsequential.
In response, the film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah of Sunshine Pictures, filed an affidavit stating that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had granted certification after reviewing the complete film. The affidavit argued that there were no allegations of mala fides or procedural irregularities in the certification process, and therefore judicial intervention was unwarranted. It further maintained that the petition was based largely on a two-minute teaser, while the full narrative includes characters from multiple states.
A separate report by NDTV dated February 25 noted that the single-judge bench reserved its order after hearing extensive submissions. During the proceedings, the producers sought an urgent decision, pointing to the February 27 release date and distribution commitments, including overseas screenings. Justice Bechu Kurian, however, reportedly cautioned against rushing the court, stating that the bench would take the necessary time to examine all arguments before issuing its decision.
Senior counsel S Sreekumar, appearing for the filmmakers, challenged the maintainability of the writ petition and argued that the allegation of defaming Kerala was not legally sustainable. The Union Government also defended the CBFC’s decision, submitting that speculative concerns about law and order could not justify a pre-release ban on a certified film.
The judge also reportedly referred to consistency in certification standards, citing an earlier Malayalam film where a scene was allegedly modified following CBFC objections, and questioned whether similar scrutiny had been applied in the present case.
Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond features music by Mannan Shaah and editing by Sanjay Sharma, among other technical credits.
With the court’s order expected ahead of the film’s scheduled release, the decision will determine whether the film proceeds with its planned theatrical release on February 27 or faces a temporary halt.