Kerala HC Stays Order Halting ‘The Kerala Story 2’

The Kerala High Court has stayed for two weeks an earlier order that had halted the release of the film The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond.

The decision was taken by a division bench, which put on hold the interim order passed by a single judge that had stopped the film’s release for 15 days.

What Happened Earlier?

On Thursday, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas had temporarily restrained the release of the film. The judge observed that there appeared to be a prima facie “non-application of mind” by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) while granting certification.

The court also noted concerns about the possibility of communal disharmony or denigration of a community, based on its preliminary review. Referring to the teaser, the judge said it had the potential to distort public perception and disturb communal harmony.

Following this order, the film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, approached a division bench of the high court late on Thursday night.

Division Bench Decision

The appeal was heard by Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan. On Friday, the bench stayed the earlier interim order for two weeks. A detailed written order is awaited.

With this stay, the operation of the single judge’s decision has been kept in abeyance for the specified period.

Producer’s Stand

According to submissions made before the court and reported by news agency PTI, the producer argued that the film does not harm or denigrate the state of Kerala or any religious community. He reportedly stated that the movie addresses what he described as a social issue.

The producer also told the court that halting the release would cause major financial losses. The film was scheduled for release on February 27 in around 1,500 theatres across India and more than 300 overseas.

What Happens Next?

The legal proceedings are still ongoing. The division bench’s stay means that the earlier restriction will not operate for the next two weeks.

Further hearings and the detailed order from the court are expected to clarify the next steps in the matter.

The case highlights the balance courts often examine between creative expression, certification by statutory authorities, and concerns raised regarding public order and harmony.