Kerala High Court Stays Release of 'The Kerala Story 2' Amid Censorship Concerns

Kochi. The Kerala High Court has stayed the release of the controversial film 'The Kerala Story 2'. On Thursday, the court questioned the film's censor certificate and directed the Central Board of Film Certification to review the film again.

This film was scheduled to be released in theaters tomorrow, February 27. Some individuals filed a petition in court demanding a halt to the screening, arguing that the film's title and narrative could tarnish the image of Kerala state.

According to the petitioners, issues depicted in the film, such as forced religious conversion and terrorism, could send the wrong message about Kerala and spread enmity between communities. The court had stated on Wednesday that it would pass judgment only after watching the film, but the producers refused to show the film to the court.

During the hearing, the court commented that while communal harmony exists in Kerala, the film portrays such incidents as happening across the entire state. The lawyer for the film's producer, Vipul Shah, argued that the petition was motivated by personal interests and that the petitioner had suffered no personal loss. However, the petitioner responded that the matter, which concerns many people, should be heard.

There was also a debate regarding the film's teaser and trailer. The Censor Board clarified that it had not passed the teaser or trailer and that the board is not responsible for content posted on social media. On the other hand, the producer refused to change the film's title. He claimed that the film incorporates stories from three states, including Kerala, and that the phrase used in the title, 'goes up to,' indicates that the story is not limited to Kerala.

The court is hearing three separate petitions. The recently released trailer prominently features issues of religious conversion, 'Love Jihad,' and terrorism. Although the story involves three young women from three states, the petitioners allege that keeping only 'Kerala' in the title wrongly targets the state. The future of the film will now be determined after the review conducted by the Censor Board.