The producers of the upcoming film ‘The Kerala Story 2, Goes Beyond’ have approached the Supreme Court after the Kerala High Court issued an interim stay on the movie’s release.

The High Court, while passing the order on Thursday, observed that there appeared to be a prima facie “non-application of mind” by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in granting certification to the film. The court also remarked that the certification process seemed to have overlooked guidelines intended to safeguard social harmony.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas delivered the stay order while hearing two petitions challenging the film’s release. The bench noted that the CBFC’s decision may not have adequately considered provisions aimed at preventing potential disruption of public order.

‘The Kerala Story 2, Goes Beyond’, a sequel to the 2023 film ‘The Kerala Story’, was scheduled to release in theatres on Friday. In an affidavit filed earlier this week, producer Vipul Shah argued that only the CBFC holds the statutory authority to halt a film’s release.

The sequel follows the contentious trajectory of its predecessor, ‘The Kerala Story’, which sparked intense debate, legal scrutiny, and political reactions upon its release.

The original film depicted the lives of three young women and explored themes involving deceptive relationships and allegations of forced religious conversion, subjects that triggered widespread public discourse.

Meanwhile, reports claiming that the teaser of ‘The Kerala Story 2, Goes Beyond’ had been removed from official social media platforms were dismissed by the production house, Sunshine Pictures. In a formal statement, the company described such claims as “false, baseless, and misleading.”

Sunshine Pictures clarified that no court had ordered the removal of any promotional content and emphasised that the team had not voluntarily deleted any material. The production house also reiterated that the matter remains sub judice.

The latest legal developments have once again placed the franchise under the spotlight, reviving discussions on cinematic portrayals of sensitive social themes and the responsibilities of certification authorities.

With the release currently on hold, attention now shifts to the Supreme Court, where the filmmakers are seeking relief.