The Kerala Story 2 Release Halted:The Kerala High Court issued a 15-day interim release prohibition for The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond which became effective after the court received multiple petitions. The stay was granted after multiple petitions challenged the film’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance. It argued that the board did not properly apply its mind in granting certification and that the content could potentially disrupt public order and communal harmony.
The interim order from Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas showed judicial evidence that proved the CBFC case handling had failed to meet essential legal requirements. Kerala High Court has reportedly flagged what it described as the “wrong portrayal” of the state, claiming that it had the potential to “incite passion,” as reported by TOI.
Tickets Still On Sale
Despite the stay order, the Kerala High Court was informed that ticket bookings for the film continue to be offered on popular online platforms. Petitioners Sreedev Namboodiri and Freddy Francis pointed out in court that even after the single judge’s order, seats were visible for sale on portals such as BookMyShow in cities across the country including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru though listings varied by location.
Lawyers representing the petitioners explained that the producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, appealed the stay to a division bench, but crucially no interim order was passed to override the stay before bookings resumed. As a result, ticket sales continued in the interim, creating legal ambiguity about whether the film could be screened legally during this period while the higher bench finalizes its verdict.
The court has not yet issued any new release order while it has maintained the existing stay order. The legal prohibition against The Kerala Story 2 continues to exist until the court delivers its pending judgment.
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“Kerala is so secular. It lives with total harmony, but have you considered this when something is portrayed as happening all over the state? There is a wrong indication and can even incite passion, and that is when the censor board (CBFC) comes into the picture,” Justice Thomas said.
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With the division bench reserved on its judgment, both supporters and critics of the film are closely watching for what could be a defining legal outcome.
Whether the stay is lifted, modified, or upheld will determine whether The Kerala Story 2 finally reaches theatres and if so, when. Meanwhile, the controversy has sparked nationwide debate across legal, cinematic, and social media platforms.
