Kerala High Court Overturns Stay on 'The Kerala Story 2' Release
In a significant development for the Indian film industry, the Kerala High Court has lifted the interim stay on the release of the controversial film 'The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond'. The decision came after a special session of a Division Bench on Friday evening, overturning an earlier order that had temporarily halted the film's theatrical debut.
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah's Press Conference
Following the court's verdict, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah held a press conference in Mumbai to address the media. Shah expressed his satisfaction with the High Court's decision, stating that the judges found no shortcomings in the functioning of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
"Now, there is no point in further discussion following the High Court's order," Shah was quoted as saying by India Today. "The honorable judges did not find any shortcomings in the functioning of the CBFC."
Details of the Examining Committee
Shah revealed crucial information about the film's certification process. Contrary to standard procedure, 'The Kerala Story 2' was examined by an eight-member committee instead of the usual five-member board. This expanded committee included:
- Two social workers from Kerala to ensure accurate representation of the state
- A professor from Delhi specializing in socio-political subjects
- Additional experts who provided comprehensive feedback
The producer emphasized that this diverse committee structure was designed to prevent any misrepresentation related to Kerala and its social fabric.
Court Proceedings and Certification Validation
Shah explained that after the three additional experts viewed the film and shared their feedback, the CBFC granted the U/A certificate. While an initial court bench might have overlooked this aspect, the subsequent Division Bench acknowledged these expert opinions and concluded there was no valid reason to question the certification granted by the CBFC.
"The subsequent bench acknowledged the expert opinions and concluded there was no reason to question the certification," Shah stated during his media interaction.
Legal Background of the Case
The legal journey of 'The Kerala Story 2' has been complex. Earlier, a single-judge bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas had temporarily stayed the film's release while hearing a petition challenging its censor certificate. That order had:
- Stayed the release for 15 days
- Ordered the CBFC to re-examine points filed against the film
- Criticized the board for granting the U/A certificate
However, after the producers filed an appeal, a Division Bench comprising Justices SA Dharmadhikar and PV Balakrishnan conducted a special session at 7:30 PM on Friday to review the case, ultimately lifting the temporary halt on the film's release.
Film Details and Future Plans
While the legal hurdles have been cleared, the producers have yet to announce a revised release date for the film. Originally scheduled to hit theaters on February 27, 2026, the movie's new timeline remains uncertain.
'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles. The film represents a continuation of the narrative that began with the original 'The Kerala Story', exploring themes that have generated significant public discussion and controversy.
The Kerala High Court's decision marks an important moment for film certification processes in India, potentially setting precedents for how controversial content is evaluated by both certification boards and judicial authorities. The expanded examining committee approach highlighted by Shah may influence future certification procedures for films dealing with sensitive social and political subjects.
