The Kerala Story 2 stopped a day before release: High Court issues 15-day stay, questions certification process

The Kerala Story 2: The release of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has hit an unexpected legal speed-breaker. Just when the film’s producers were gearing up for its theatrical debut on 27 February, the Kerala High Court stepped in with an interim stay, pressing pause on what was already shaping up to be one of the most hotly debated films of the year. In a sharply worded observation that has now fuelled further discussion, the court remarked that there appeared to be a “prima facie non-application of mind” by the certification authority while clearing the film. The development has not only intensified the conversation around the film’s content but also reopened the perennial debate on censorship, creative freedom and social responsibility in Indian cinema.

The Kerala Story 2: A Judicial Halt a Day Before Release

On Thursday, a single-judge Bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas directed that the film shall not be released on its scheduled date. The interim stay has been granted for 15 days. The order came after petitions were filed challenging the censor certificate granted to the film and seeking suspension of its release.

During proceedings, the court noted that the concerns raised by petitioners were “probably genuine”, indicating that the apprehensions could not be brushed aside lightly. According to PTI, the court observed that the Central Board of Film Certification appeared not to have adequately applied its mind before granting clearance.

The judge also underlined a broader social point. “Kerala lives in total harmony among various religions,” the court orally remarked, cautioning that portraying the state in a manner that suggests widespread communal discord may send a misleading signal and risk inflaming passions. That, the court suggested, is precisely where the censor board’s responsibility becomes crucial.

The Kerala Story 2: The Petition That Sparked the Hearing

The matter reached court after biologist Sreedev Namboodiri from Kannur and others filed pleas objecting to the film’s certification. Namboodiri argued that the trailer painted Kerala in an “extremely negative light” and could carry wider social consequences.

It was this contention — that the film’s narrative, particularly as previewed in promotional material, could distort public perception of the state — that weighed on the Bench. Acting on the plea, the High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the film’s producer.

The legal question at hand is not merely whether a film can be controversial, but whether the statutory body tasked with certifying it discharged its duties with due diligence.

What Is ‘The Kerala Story 2’ About?

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story 2 centres on the claim that young Hindu women are lured into interfaith marriages, assaulted, stripped of their rights and coerced into religious conversion.

The film’s trailer triggered intense debate soon after its release, with critics arguing that it presents a sweeping and potentially inflammatory narrative. Supporters, meanwhile, maintain that the film seeks to spotlight what it describes as real incidents.

Interestingly, the use of the word “Kerala” in the title became a focal point during the hearing. The court noted that invoking the name of a state known for its multi-faith coexistence carries weight and responsibility — particularly when the filmmakers assert that the story is based on true events.

The Kerala Story 2: Filmmakers Prepare to Appeal

Even as the stay order was passed, the producers were reportedly preparing their next legal move. Sources close to ET Now indicated that the filmmakers intend to approach a larger Bench of the High Court to challenge the single-judge order.

An appeal is expected to be filed at the earliest, with the producers seeking an expedited release of the detailed order so they can contest it without delay. The urgency is understandable: theatrical releases involve months of planning, distribution contracts, marketing spends and theatre bookings. A 15-day pause can disrupt the entire commercial calculus.

The team is said to be racing against time, aiming to secure urgent relief before further disruption to its release strategy.

The Kerala Story 2: Censorship, Certification and the Fine Line

At the heart of the controversy lies the role of the CBFC. Established under the Cinematograph Act, the board does not “censor” films in the traditional sense but certifies them for public exhibition. However, courts have repeatedly held that the board must apply its mind carefully, particularly where sensitive themes are involved.

Over the decades, Indian courts have walked a tightrope between protecting artistic expression and safeguarding public order. From political dramas to historical reinterpretations, cinema has often found itself at the centre of legal storms. In that context, the High Court’s remark about “non-application of mind” is significant — it signals that judicial scrutiny of certification processes remains robust.

A Story Larger Than a Film

The present dispute is not just about a single release date. It touches on questions that resonate far beyond one production house: How should films that claim to depict real events be evaluated? Does invoking a state’s name in a title heighten accountability? And where does creative liberty end when social harmony is potentially at stake?

For now, The Kerala Story 2 remains in limbo. The coming days will determine whether the interim stay holds or is overturned by a larger Bench. Until then, the film’s journey from censor certificate to cinema screen remains uncertain — a reminder that in India, the road to release can be as dramatic as the story unfolding on screen.