Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the portrayal of the State in the film “Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond” and sought the Union government’s stand on arranging a screening before deciding petitions challenging its censor certification, a report by Live Law said.
However, the makers of the movie refused to screen the movie before the court. Following their submission, the court postponed the proceedings and scheduled the matter for further hearing on Wednesday , when it is expected to take a final call, NDTV reported.
During the hearing, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that Kerala is known for communal harmony and expressed concern that the film could create a misleading impression. Referring to dialogue transcripts placed before the court, the judge remarked that the depiction appeared to give a “wrong indication” and had the potential to incite communal tensions.
“Kerala lives in total harmony. But you have portrayed that this is happening all over Kerala. There is a wrong indication and it can incite passion. That is where the censor board comes into play,” the court orally observed.
The bench said public apprehensions could not be ignored and indicated it would watch the film before passing orders. It directed the Union government to obtain instructions and inform the court whether a screening could be arranged.
Petitioners argued that despite carrying Kerala’s name, the filmmakers had described it as a pan-India story, making the title misleading and capable of stigmatising the State. They relied on Supreme Court observations that film titles should not denigrate a community or region.
The filmmakers contended that certification by the Central Board of Film Certification creates a presumption in favour of the film, which the court said could be rebutted by its content.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition leaders have condemned the film as “false propaganda,” alleging it threatens Kerala’s secular fabric.