US EditionKerala High Court Halts the Release of 'The Kerala Story 2', Says Movie Depicts the State in a Wrong Light: Details Inside
Petitioners argue the film misleads by linking Kerala to terrorism and forced conversions, risking discrimination; the Central Board of Film Certification’s role is under scrutiny.
- On Thursday, the Kerala High Court posted the hearing of petitions challenging the censor certificate for the Hindi film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, set for release on Friday, the February 25, 2026 report said.
- Petitioners say the title and earlier promotion citing 32,000 women from Kerala stereotype the State and aim to scandalise its communal harmony and reputation.
- Filmmakers refused the court's Tuesday request to screen the film, and the bench observed no one knew what was in the movie.
- Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah argued the pleas are premature and the Central Board of Film Certification is the sole expert authority under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, while filmmakers said certified films cannot be restrained based on a two-minute teaser.
- The court warned the Central Board of Film Certification must ensure titles are not misleading, as free speech does not allow community denigration, potentially causing discrimination against people hailing from Kerala.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Kerala Story 2 | Creativity weaponised against communal harmony
Communal harmony: MP John Brittas calls The Kerala Story 2 propaganda that vilifies Muslims and harms Kerala’s secular fabric. Citing court remarks and reports of growing prejudice, he urges responsible fact-based cinema over divisive narratives RS.
High Court pauses The Kerala Story 2 release, says censors didn't abide by rules
The Kerala High Court stayed the release of The Kerala Story 2 a day before its scheduled theatrical debut. Pulling up the CBFC over the grant of certification, the court said in its order that the board had failed to adhere to the prescribed guidelines.
HC asks ‘The Kerala Story 2’ makers to withhold release until order
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the observation while considering three petitions seeking cancellation of the certificate issued by the Central.The Kerala Story 2, Kerala High Court, film release stayed, movie controversy, CBFC certificate, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, communal tension, Sunshine Pictures, sequel ban, film petition, Indian cinema, legal challenge, movie sequel, public order, Cinematograph Act
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