Mumbai : The court said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) appeared to have cleared the film without properly examining the concerns raised. The High Court was hearing a petition filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, who sought cancellation of the film’s UA certificate. The petition claimed that The Kerala Story 2 portrays Kerala and its people in a negative and stereotypical manner. The court criticised the Censor Board, saying it had not “applied its mind” before granting certification.
The Kerala Story 2 is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures. The makers have stated that the film is based on real incidents. However, the film has been surrounded by controversy since its teaser and trailer were released. The filmmakers have denied these allegations and said the film does not target Kerala or any specific group. Romantic scenes were also shortened following the board’s suggestions. Despite these edits, the court questioned whether the certification was given after proper review. The film has drawn strong reactions from political leaders and film personalities.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, actor Prakash Raj and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap are among those who criticised the film’s promotional material. The Kerala Story franchise has faced legal and political challenges before. The first film in the series also attracted protests and was banned in some states, including Kerala and West Bengal, for a period.
Despite the opposition, the first film went on to achieve commercial success and even won two National Film Awards. With the High Court ordering a temporary stay, the release of The Kerala Story 2 will remain paused until further hearings are completed.
-
-
-
-
