The Kerala Story 2 news: Vipul Amrutlal Shah-produced movie ‘The Kerala Story 2’ has suffered a major setback on Thursday, a day before its release. Calling the censor board’s clearance to the film a ‘non-application of mind,’ the Kerala High Court (HC) stayed its release. The ruling by the Kerala HC has sparked debates over freedom of expression and film certification.

Justice Bechu Kurien Thomas passes order

While hearing a batch of petitions challenging the certification granted to the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Justice Bechu Kurien Thomas passed the aforementioned interim order. He stressed that prima facie, the CBFC apparently ‘did not apply mind’ while certifying the film. Thomas furthermore orally observed that the petitioners’ concerns appeared genuine at this juncture.

Petitioners call the film ‘misleading’

The petitioners contended that the content showcased in the film allegedly misrepresents facts about Kerala and could possibly lead to communal disharmony. They further argued that giving a nod to the movie’s release may trigger societal unrest.

The Kerala HC noted the submissions made by the petitioners and directed that the film should not hit the theatres until the arguments in the case are completely heard and come to an end.

HC instructs CBFC to take a call within 2 weeks

Towards the end of the hearing, the Kerala HC directed the CBFC to review the petitioners’ concerns, and take a justified decision within two weeks. Until then, an interim stay has been imposed on the film’s release.

The Kerala Story had minted Rs 304 crore worldwide

Notably, the prequel of ‘The Kerala Story 2,’ titled ‘The Kerala Story’ was released in 2023, and emerged as a massive box office success. The film raked in close to Rs 304 crore on a global level.