Kerala High Court Seeks Screening of ‘The Kerala Story 2’ Amid Legal Challenge

As The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond approaches its scheduled theatrical release on February 27, the Kerala High Court has intervened in a growing legal dispute over its certification and portrayal of the State.

According to a report in The Hindu, on Tuesday (February 24, 2026), a division bench of the High Court, led by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, asked the film’s producers whether a screening could be arranged before the court ahead of its final consideration of multiple petitions challenging the film’s censor certificate. The court indicated it would view the film in order to verify claims made by the petitioners.

The petitioners have argued that the film’s title and promotional material suggest a portrayal of widespread regional discord and violence in Kerala — a contention they say isn’t reflected by the State’s lived experience. They also argue that the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) U/A certificate may have been granted without adequate assessment.

During the hearing, Justice Thomas expressed reservations about the narrative’s possible impact, emphasising the largely peaceful coexistence in Kerala “Kerala lives in total harmony. But you have portrayed that this is happening all over Kerala. There is a wrong indication and it can also incite passion. That is where the censor board comes into play. Have you considered that?” Thomas was quoted as saying.

The judge noted that while courts typically do not interfere with the artistic freedom of filmmakers, the combination of the film’s claim to be “inspired by true events” and its title could, in his view, be inflammatory. In his remarks, he said, “…Normally, I do not interfere with any movie. Artistic freedom. But you are saying that it is inspired by true events and the name Kerala is given, which can create some communal tension. I will watch the movie tomorrow. You can arrange a screening of the movie tomorrow.”

The court asked the Centre to obtain instructions on whether a screening could be arranged and directed that this be communicated in the post-lunch session. Justice Thomas also stressed that presumptions arising from a CBFC certificate are not “absolute” and must be evaluated in light of a film’s actual content, particularly if it has the potential to stir public sentiment.

The controversy follows debates over the first installment of The Kerala Story (2023), which triggered nationwide discussion over representation and factual inaccuracies. Speaking to India Today, filmmaker Sudipto Sen, who helmed the first film, explained why he did not return for the sequel. "For the first film, I researched the subject for 10 years. I could stand by every word and visual in that film. If the sequel expands beyond Kerala into other states, I cannot rely on WhatsApp forwards or newspaper reports," Sen was quoted as saying by the publication.