Tickets refunded as ‘The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond’ release put on hold

Kochi: Ticket bookings for The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond were refunded on Friday after the film was not released in theatres, lawyers representing petitioners who challenged the movie’s screening confirmed.

Advocate Maitreyi Sachidananda Hegde, appearing for petitioner Sreedev Namboodiri, told reporters that she would not proceed with a contempt petition against the film’s producer since the release had not taken place and ticket amounts were being returned to viewers.

Earlier in the day, Hegde had mentioned the matter before Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, pointing out that online ticket bookings were still active despite a judicial stay on the film’s release. She raised the concern even as a related appeal was pending before a division bench of the Kerala High Court, which had reserved its order after a late-night hearing on Thursday.

Hegde informed the court that she would verify whether the movie was being screened during the day and decide on filing a contempt plea accordingly. By the afternoon, she confirmed that the film had not been released in theatres and that booked tickets were being refunded.

“the film has not been released and the ticket amounts were being refunded. So, I will not be moving a contempt petition,” she stated.

15-day stay on release

On Thursday, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ordered a 15-day stay on the release of the film. In his interim order, the judge observed that there appeared to be a prima facie lack of due application of mind by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in clearing the movie.

The court also noted that the teaser content suggested the potential for communal disharmony or denigration of a community. It remarked that releasing the film without further scrutiny by higher authorities could be legally improper.

According to the order, the teaser had “a prima facie potential to distort public perception and disturb communal harmony,” warranting judicial intervention at this stage.

Appeal before division bench

Following the single-judge order, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah moved an appeal before a division bench comprising Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P. V. Balakrishnan. After hearing extensive arguments from all parties, the bench reserved its decision but did not grant any interim relief staying the single judge’s order.

As of Friday evening, the 15-day stay remains in force, and the film has not been screened in theatres.