The High Court has lifted its previous stay order on Kerala Story 2, clearing the way for the film’s release today. This decision removes the legal obstacle that had been preventing the movie from reaching theaters.
The Kerala High Court’s Division Bench has approved The Kerala Story 2 for cinema release today, resolving the controversy surrounding claims that the film stereotypes Kerala and its residents.
Release confirmation
Following the court’s ruling, the producers of The Kerala Story 2 stated they would conduct a press conference this evening in Mumbai and confirmed the movie would “release tonight.”
This Kerala High Court ruling follows yesterday’s proceedings when the division bench withheld judgment on producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s appeal. Shah had contested the single judge’s temporary order that blocked the film’s release the previous day.
The single bench judge had issued a 15-day temporary halt on the movie’s distribution, even though the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had already approved it for screening.
Kamakhya Narayan Singh directed The Kerala Story 2, with Vipul Amrutlal Shah producing it through Sunshine Pictures. From the moment its teaser appeared online, the film sparked significant controversy. Throughout this period, the filmmakers repeatedly insisted their story drew from “true incidents.”
A petition filed by Sreedev Namboodiri reached the Kerala High Court, requesting that authorities withdraw The Kerala Story 2’s U/A certificate. Namboodiri argued the film cast Kerala and its residents in a negative light while reinforcing damaging stereotypes.
The court also expressed disapproval of the CBFC’s decision-making process, stating the board had cleared the film without proper consideration. The judges halted the film’s release pending completion of all legal arguments, observing that both the teaser and trailer could threaten communal peace.
About the Kerala 2 Story
Kamakhya Narayan Singh directed the film, which was set to premiere on February 27. Amarnath Jha and Vipul Amrutlal Shah wrote The Kerala Story 2, with Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in the leading roles.
The recently released trailer for the upcoming sequel has generated divided responses from audiences. In the trailer, the filmmakers of The Kerala Story 2 depicted how Islamic men allegedly ensnared Hindu women through romantic relationships. The story follows these women’s lives as their initial experiences of love and defiance gradually shift toward manipulation and suppression, with romance becoming a tool that ultimately strips away their independence.
