Kerala HC Stays Release of 'The Kerala Story 2' Movie

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major judicial intervention, the Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the release of the controversial film Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, which was slated to hit theatres on Friday.

The order came in response to petitions challenging the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed the CBFC to re-examine the film, observing that even the visuals in the teaser, also part of the movie, appeared capable of misleading public perception and disturbing communal harmony. The court noted that the board had, prima facie, overlooked established certification guidelines.

The Court observed that the content is likely to provoke discord, affect law and order, or weaken social harmony, and does not fall within the ambit of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 (1)(a) of the Constitution.

The bench remarked that while Kerala largely lives in harmony, the film seemed to portray incidents as widespread across the state, potentially creating a misleading impression and inflaming passions.

The court had earlier indicated its willingness to view the film before issuing a final order. However, the producer declined, opting instead to argue the matter on legal grounds. Detailed submissions were heard from the petitioners' counsel, the senior counsel representing the producer and the CBFC's counsel.

The stay order has temporarily halted the film's release, pending further examination by the CBFC. The case has drawn significant public attention, given the sensitivities surrounding its subject matter and the broader debate over artistic freedom versus social responsibility.

The petitioners opposing the release of Kerala Story: Goes Beyond have argued that the film's title unfairly maligns the state, pointing to unrest that followed the release of its previous edition, The Kerala Story.

One petitioner submitted that after the first film's release, which itself faced multiple legal challenges. There were reported instances of hostility towards Kerala and Malayalis, both within India and abroad. They contended that the sequel could reignite similar tensions.

The petitioners also highlighted promotional statements by the filmmaker, who had claimed that the narrative was not specifically about Kerala but a broader pan-Indian issue, and that the alleged victims depicted were not from the state. On this basis, they objected to the continued use of "Kerala" in the title, calling it misleading and damaging to the region's image.

Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is a sequel to The Kerala Story, which focused on the alleged recruitment of women from Kerala by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The earlier film drew widespread criticism for its portrayal of religious radicalisation and was accused of distorting facts, sparking concerns about its impact on Kerala's reputation.

The High Court is currently examining whether the sequel's certification by the CBFC adhered to established guidelines, with petitioners pressing that the title itself perpetuates a misleading narrative.