Kerala High Court Stays Release Of The Kerala Story 2, Asks CBFC To Re-Examine

The Kerala Story 2, which was scheduled for theatrical release on February 27, has been halted by the Kerala High Court, citing that the film has the "potential to distort the public perception and disturb communal harmony." The order was passed on petitions challenging the CBFC certification granted to the movie.

The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh.

Why did Kerala High Court stay Kerala Story 2 release?

The Kerala HC on Thursday stayed the release of the film. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed the interim order. The court observed that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) prime facie ignored guidelines while granting certification. It has directed the board to consider the revision petitions filed by the petitioners within a period of two weeks.

"Dissemination of content which has a tendency to create discord, disturb law and order, even undermine social harmony cannot come within the gamut of freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India," the court said, per Live and Law.

The movie will not be released till CBFC's fresh orders.

The Court said that it usually doesn't interfere with the release of films, but had to step in as the petitioners claimed that the content has the potential of creating communal tension.

In yesterday's hearing, the court directed the makers to halt the release of the film's rights until it decides on petitions challenging its censor board certification. The court observed that the concerns raised by petitioners are "probably genuine."

Questioning the censor board on the certification granted to the film, the court said, "You have not even given an 'A' certificate to the film. You've given U/A."

It also noted that the makers were not keen on screening the film.