Kerala High Court notice on ‘The Kerala Story 2’, questions raised on certification of the film

Problems increased for the film ‘The Kerala Story 2’

The controversy regarding the sequel of the film ‘The Kerala Story’ ‘The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond’ is deepening. The Kerala High Court has issued a notice to the producers of this film, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the Central Government on a petition. The petition demands cancellation of the certification of the film and change in its title.

What was said in the petition?

The petition has requested the court to cancel the certification of the film and direct it to reconsider the title. Petitioner Sridev Namboodiri, a resident of Kannavam in Kannur district, filed this petition on February 18, in which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CBFC and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah have been made respondents.

court hearing

A bench headed by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while considering the plea on Thursday, issued notice to all the respondents and listed the matter for further hearing on February 24. The petition said that the CBFC has given the certificate to the film without following the statutory mandate under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

movie release date

This film is going to be released on 27th February. The petition said that the teaser and trailer of the film depicted stories related to women from many states, but it was branded as ‘The Kerala Story’, in which incidents of terrorism, forced conversion and demographic conspiracy were specifically linked to Kerala.

concern for social impact

The petition also states that such portrayal is likely to create a negative perception about the entire regional community, worsen public order and incite communal and regional disharmony. The petitioner said that the first part of the film had already generated serious controversy, which the Supreme Court had taken cognizance of.

Question on the role of CBFC

The petition also mentioned that the CBFC granted certification to the film’s ‘sequel’ without adequately examining its impact on public order, decency and morality, as is mandatory under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.