Kerala Story 2 Not Releasing Tomorrow; Kerala High Court Stays Film, Here's Why

The release of The Kerala Story 2 has been put on hold after the Kerala High Court ordered a two-week interim stay on the film. The movie was scheduled to release in theatres on Friday, but the court's decision has stopped its release for now.

The court said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) appeared to have cleared the film without properly examining the concerns raised. It directed that the film should not be released until the matter is fully heard.

Why the Court Stopped the Release

The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, who sought cancellation of the film's UA certificate. The petition claimed that The Kerala Story 2 portrays Kerala and its people in a negative and stereotypical manner.

During the hearing, the court criticised the Censor Board, saying it had not "applied its mind" before granting certification. The judges noted that the board must carefully review the petitioner's objections and consider whether the film's content is appropriate.

Until the arguments are completed and the concerns examined, the court ordered that the film cannot be released.

About the Film and Its Makers

The Kerala Story 2 is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures. The makers have stated that the film is based on real incidents.

However, the film has been surrounded by controversy since its teaser and trailer were released. Critics claim it presents a biased narrative and stereotypes certain communities and the state of Kerala.

The filmmakers have denied these allegations and said the film does not target Kerala or any specific group.

Censor Board Edits and Certification

Before the court's intervention, the Censor Board had granted the film a U/A 16+ certificate after suggesting several modifications. The movie, with a runtime of over two hours, reportedly underwent 16 edits.

Some of the key changes included reducing scenes showing violence against women, such as slapping and assault, by half. Romantic scenes were also shortened following the board's suggestions.

Despite these edits, the court questioned whether the certification was given after proper review.

Political and Industry Reactions

The film has drawn strong reactions from political leaders and film personalities. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, actor Prakash Raj and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap are among those who criticised the film's promotional material.

Some critics have described the movie as propaganda and accused it of portraying certain communities negatively. The controversy has kept the film in the spotlight even before its release.

Controversy Around the Franchise

The Kerala Story franchise has faced legal and political challenges before. The first film in the series also attracted protests and was banned in some states, including Kerala and West Bengal, for a period.

Despite the opposition, the first film went on to achieve commercial success and even won two National Film Awards.

With the High Court ordering a temporary stay, the release of The Kerala Story 2 will remain paused until further hearings are completed. The court will examine the objections raised against the film and the process followed by the Censor Board before making a final decision.

For now, the makers must wait for the next hearing as the legal battle over the film continues.