On Wednesday evening, Kerala High Court told the makers of upcoming film The Kerala Story 2 to not release their film until it finishes hearing the petitions challenging the film’s release. These observations were made while hearing three petitions which challenged the certification received by The Kerala Story 2 makers from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), claiming that the film portrays Kerala in a negative light, and could disturb law and order.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed in an oral remark that it will continue the matter on Thursday if the makers need more time for argument, while asserting that the film should not be released until the arguments are concluded. He stated, “Don’t make the entire issue infructuous… let them not give out the right or anything before the Court takes decision. The apprehension expressed by the petitioners is probably genuine, so once they release the rights tomorrow, then what is the point?"
In the three petitions challenging the film’s release, the petitioners stated both the film’s title and promotional material used by the producers unfairly depict the state of Kerala, and contained themes which could provoke the harmony and disturb law and order situation. One of the petitions also sought for directions to remove ‘Kerala’ from the title.
Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story 2 received a lot of strong reactions on social media with its trailer release which contained some extreme visuals of its protagonists being tortured. One of these visuals where a young woman is force-fed beef by her Muslim in-laws was particularly met with staunch criticism.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala HC had expressed its willingness to watch the film. However, The Kerala Story 2 makers urged the Court to first pass an order about whether it finds the petitions maintainable. After the makers contended that The Kerala Story 2 has obtained necessary approvals from CBFC, these petitions also raised questions on CBFC’s ability to adequately impact of the film on public order, decency and morality.
