Will Kerala Story 2 release on Feb 27? High Court scrutiny continues

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday noted that concerns among sections of the public regarding the upcoming release of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond deserve consideration, especially since the filmmakers have promoted the project as being based on true events and have used the state’s name in the title.

The bench, headed by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, was hearing multiple petitions seeking cancellation of the film’s certification and a halt to its scheduled release on February 27, 2026.

During the hearing, the court questioned whether the Central Board of Film Certification had fully exercised its statutory authority before granting clearance to the movie.

The court also observed that portraying a state in a manner suggesting widespread social discord could potentially create misleading impressions, particularly given Kerala’s historical record of religious coexistence.

Petitioners argued that the teaser and promotional material were shown without proper certification and that the continued use of the state’s name might contribute to regional prejudice. Producer opposes any title change, says film has stories from 3 States including Kerala, and that the "Goes Beyond" part of the title indicates that.

Counsel representing the producers contested the maintainability of the petitions, suggesting that objections regarding the state’s image would be more appropriate for public interest litigation rather than individual writ petitions.

The court referred to an earlier case involving a Malayalam film where minor edits were directed and asked whether similar scrutiny had been applied to this film. After hearing arguments for about 30 minutes, the bench adjourned the matter, allowing the filmmakers time to submit additional counter-arguments. The court did not pass any interim order.

The film is currently cleared for public exhibition with a U/A 16+ certificate after the CBFC directed approximately 16 cuts, including reductions in intimate and violent scenes, modification of certain dialogues, and addition of an extended disclaimer stating that the movie is based on true events.

The disclaimer is required to remain on screen for several minutes with voice-over narration, and the producers were asked to submit supporting documentation and consent verification for casting a minor.

The legal dispute continues as the Kerala High Court is expected to review the film before delivering a final ruling on the ban petitions.

(With PTI inputs)