Anurag Kashyap's Scathing Attack on 'The Kerala Story 2' Sparks Heated Exchange
The upcoming sequel to the controversial film The Kerala Story has ignited fresh debate even before its theatrical release, with filmmaker Anurag Kashyap launching a blistering verbal assault on the production. Titled The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, the film has found itself at the center of a polarizing controversy following Kashyap's blunt remarks at Kochi airport.
Kashyap's Unfiltered Criticism: 'Bakwas Picture' and 'Propaganda'
When questioned about the sequel produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, Kashyap did not mince words. "Bakwas picture. Kerala Story is a shit film. It is propaganda, bullshit... Ch**iya picture," he stated unequivocally. The filmmaker went further with a pointed analogy: "Aisa kaun beef khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai, jaise beef khila raha hai."
Kashyap accused the filmmakers of divisive motives, asserting "They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money." This translated to his belief that the production represents nothing more than commercial exploitation through provocative content.
Director's Forceful Rebuttal: Accusations of Mental Weakness
Kamakhya Narayan Singh responded with a comprehensive video statement that addressed not only Kashyap's comments but also criticism from actor Prakash Raj and others. The director began by acknowledging Kashyap's khichdi analogy before pivoting to his central argument.
"Par durbhagyvas, humare samaaj mein humari masoom betiyon ko, unka dharam parivartan karne ke liye, unko beef khilaya jaa raha hai, yeh ek crime hai," Singh declared, framing the film's narrative as addressing genuine societal concerns rather than propaganda.
Singh then launched a personal critique of Kashyap, stating "Problem yeh hai ki Anurag Kashyap Ji mansik roop se durbal ho gaye hain, unko har cheez se dikkat hain." He listed various entities with which Kashyap allegedly has issues, including Brahmins, Netflix, and the film industry itself.
Historical References and Professional Criticism
The director referenced Kashyap's own filmography to bolster his argument, specifically mentioning The Girl in Yellow Boots. "Inhone ek film banayi thi, The Girl in Yellow Boots, usme inhone kalpana kiya hain ek pita aur putri ke anaitik sambandh ko," Singh noted, suggesting Kashyap's work explores themes that would be considered taboo in civilized society.
Singh further dismissed Kashyap's recent professional track record, claiming "Inki saari filmein pichle kahi saalon se flop hai." He concluded with a prayer for wisdom: "Me param pita parmeshvar se prathna karta hu ki inko sadhbudhi de."
The Core Debate: Creative Freedom Versus Propaganda
In a detailed social media post accompanying his video statement, Singh framed the controversy as a fundamental question about artistic expression and truth. "मुद्दा ये नहीं है कि फिल्म में क्या दिखाया गया- खिचड़ी, बीफ या कुछ और। असल सवाल है consent और coercion," he wrote, emphasizing the themes of consent and coercion as central to the film's narrative.
The director challenged what he perceived as double standards in criticism: "आपका तो झूठ भी creative freedom और हमारा सच भी Propaganda!" He called for substantive debate based on facts and data rather than dismissive labels like 'bullshit' or 'bootlicker'.
Legal Challenges and Production Details
Beyond the war of words, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond faces formal legal challenges. The Kerala High Court recently served notice to the producers regarding a writ petition challenging the film's certification by the Central Board of Film Certification. The legal objection specifically targets the film's teaser and trailer content.
The sequel stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles and maintains its scheduled release date of February 27. Meanwhile, Anurag Kashyap continues preparations for the India release of his own anticipated film Kennedy, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, which will premiere on the ZEE5 streaming platform.
This heated exchange represents the latest chapter in the ongoing cultural debate surrounding cinematic representation, artistic responsibility, and the intersection of entertainment with social and political commentary in contemporary Indian cinema.
