KOCHI — The Kerala High Court on Thursday, February 26, 2026, issued an interim stay on the release of the controversial film The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond, just 24 hours before its scheduled premiere. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while presiding over two petitions challenging the movie, observed that there appeared to be a “non-application of mind” by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during the certification process.
The court noted that the CBFC seems to have disregarded specific guidelines designed to ensure that cinematic content does not disrupt social harmony. In its order, the Bench emphasized that while freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, it does not extend to the dissemination of content that has the potential to create discord, disturb law and order, or undermine the social fabric of the state.
Following the court’s directive, the film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, and the CBFC have been instructed to ensure the movie is not released for public viewing for a period of 13 days. During this time, the Central Government has been ordered to review a revision petition filed by one of the petitioners, Sreedev Namboodiri, and pass a formal order within two weeks. The court has mandated that all parties, including the producer and the petitioner, be given a fair hearing during this review process.
The petitioner, represented by advocate Maitreyi Sachidananda Hegde, alleged that the film was granted certification without complying with the statutory requirements of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Beyond challenging the certification itself, the plea has also called for significant modifications to the film, including a reconsideration of its title. The matter has sparked intense debate regarding the boundaries of artistic freedom and the responsibility of regulatory bodies in maintaining communal amity.
