Kerala High Court lifts interim stay on release of 'Kerala Story 2'

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday set aside an interim order that had stalled the release of the film “Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond”, allowing its release to proceed, Bar and Bench reported.

A division bench comprising Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan vacated the 15-day stay imposed a day earlier by single-judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas. The single-judge had, at 3 pm on Thursday, stayed the film’s release and directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine representations filed against it.

Following the order, the film’s producers moved an appeal. The Division Bench convened a special sitting at 7.30 pm on Thursday to hear the matter. After over two hours of arguments, the Bench reserved its verdict and delivered its decision at 4 pm on Friday, lifting the stay.

Justice Thomas had passed the interim order on petitions challenging the film’s release on the grounds that it allegedly misrepresented Kerala and could incite communal disharmony. One petition, filed by Sreedev Namboodiri of Kannur, contended that the title and promotional content, including the teaser and trailer, contained themes and dialogues capable of provoking violence and unfairly stigmatising the state. He objected to the teaser’s closing line, “ab sahenge nahin… ladenge” (we will not tolerate it anymore, but will fight), calling it inflammatory.

Another petitioner, Freddie V Francis, sought a ban on the film and challenged the use of the term “Kerala” in its title, arguing that it falsely linked the state with terrorism and forced religious conversion. He also questioned claims that the film was based on true events.

In his interim order, Justice Thomas had observed that there appeared to be a prima facie lack of application of mind by the CBFC in granting certification and directed the Board to consider revision petitions within two weeks.