Kerala High Court Questions Certification of Controversial Film 'The Kerala Story 2'

Court Scrutinizes Film's Certification

On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court raised concerns regarding the certification provided to The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond. The court noted that the film appears to depict the secular nature of Kerala through a potentially divisive perspective.

A bench led by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas indicated that it would view the film prior to making a decision on three public interest litigations that request a halt to its release and the revocation of its certification, citing fears that it could incite communal discord.

Justice Thomas remarked, “Kerala is known for its secularism and harmony. Have you considered this portrayal that suggests otherwise? Such representations can mislead and provoke unrest, which is where the censor board's role becomes crucial.”

The film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, is set to premiere on February 27. It reportedly tells the story of women from various regions being drawn into relationships with Muslim men and pressured into converting to Islam. The teaser, released on February 17, features a scene where a Hindu woman is depicted as being forced to consume beef.

During the hearing, the judge expressed that he typically refrains from intervening in film releases, viewing them as artistic expressions. However, he acknowledged that the film's claims of being based on real events lend credibility to the petitioners' concerns about potential misrepresentation and communal tensions.

The film's producers contended that the content shown in the teaser does not reflect the actual film. The court requested a screening of the film for the judge on Wednesday before making a ruling on the petitions. In response, the producer asked for time to consult and provide a date for the screening.

The advocate for the filmmakers also agreed to withdraw the teasers until the court reaches a decision on the issue.

Following the teaser's release, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to social media to criticize the film, claiming it seeks to incite hatred against Kerala and undermine its secular values.

Vijayan emphasized the collective responsibility to safeguard Kerala's secular foundation against misleading narratives.