The Kerala High Court has sought a screening of the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond prior to its theatrical release on February 27. The development comes after three separate petitions were filed raising concerns about the film content and its potential social impact.
The film, backed by producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has drawn legal scrutiny over allegations that its teaser and trailer portray the state of Kerala in a defamatory manner and could incite communal tension. One of the petitions, reportedly filed by a Kannur resident, argued that certain dialogues and themes shown in the promotional material were capable of provoking unrest. Another petitioner sought a ban on the release of the film and objected to the use of the state name in the title. A third plea challenged both the certification granted to the film and the inclusion of Kerala in its name.
During the hearing held on February 24, the Kerala High Court questioned the Central Board of Film Certification regarding its decision to grant the film a U A 16 plus certificate. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that since the film claims to be inspired by real incidents and touches upon religious themes, the concerns raised in the petitions warranted careful examination. The court noted that Kerala is known for its secular character and said that it would watch the film before making a decision on the petitions.
Senior Advocate S Sreekumar, appearing on behalf of the film producers, informed the court that the teasers could be removed temporarily if required until a verdict was delivered. However, in a public statement issued later, the producers clarified that no judicial order had directed the removal of any promotional material and that the teaser and trailer continued to remain available on official platforms. They urged media outlets and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified reports regarding the case.
The court initially indicated its intention to screen the film for judicial review. However, during the proceedings, discussions arose regarding whether the petitions constituted public interest litigation or private grievances. Observing the arguments, the court stated that it would first consider the preliminary question of maintainability before proceeding further. The matter remains under judicial consideration, and the hearing is scheduled to continue.
According to reports, the Central Board of Film Certification directed the makers to implement around 16 cuts before granting certification. These reportedly included reductions in scenes depicting intimacy and violence. Certain visual elements were trimmed to comply with certification guidelines.
The Kerala Story 2 features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles and serves as a spiritual sequel to the 2023 film The Kerala Story, which starred Adah Sharma, Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani and Sonia Balani. The earlier film also generated public debate and legal scrutiny.
As the release date approaches, the final outcome of the High Court proceedings will determine whether any further modifications or restrictions are required. The case highlights the continuing balance between artistic freedom and legal oversight in cinema.
