REVEALED: Kerala High Court cites Padmaavat, Aarakshan verdicts to clear The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’s release On February 27, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P V Balakrishnan, stayed a Single Judge’s interim order that had halted the release of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond for 15 days. The Single Judge had relied on excerpts from the film’s teaser to conclude that the content had the prima facie potential to disturb communal harmony and that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) may not have adequately applied its mind under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. However, the appellate Bench emphasized a critical constitutional principle: once the CBFC, a statutory expert body, has granted certification after viewing the film in its entirety, courts must ordinarily presume due application of mind. In arriving at this conclusion, the Bench drew heavily from two landmark Supreme Court precedents. First, in Prakash Jha Productions v. Union of India, decided in 2011 in the context of the film Aarakshan, the Supreme Court held that once a film has been certified by the CBFC, States cannot suspend or prohibit its exhibition merely on apprehensions of law and order problems. The Court made it clear that maintaining public order is the responsibility of the State, not a ground to curtail certified expression. Second, the Bench relied on Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of In... #Kerala #High_Court #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Justice_Sushrut #Sushrut_Arvind #Arvind_Dharmadhikari #Single_Judge #comprising_Justice #cites_Padmaavat
Vipul Shah on allegations that The Kerala Story 2 targets a particular religion: "Can I show Rehman Dakait as a Hindu?"; hits back at Anurag Kashyap's comments: "He made a film about a father-daughter's immoral relationship..." It was a dramatic day as The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond's release almost got pushed by two weeks due to an order by Kerala High Court. However, the makers immediately filed for an appeal after which the stay on the release was lifted. Consequently, the film was released from the evening of Friday, February 27. Around the same time, producer Vipul Shah held a press conference and gave headline worthy quotes. Vipul Shah was asked to comment on Anurag Kashyap's scathing comments on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. Vipul thundered, "Anurag ji made a film, That Girl In Yellow Boots (2011) which touched upon a daughter and father's immoral relationship. So, when a director makes a film about a daughter and father's physical relationship, should we take his viewpoint seriously? This was a question raised by our director Kamakhaya Narayan Singh. "He added, "I was hoping that since Anurag talks openly, he would react to this comment by our director. Hopefully, in a few days, he'll share his answer. I don't personally like to comment on someone's view. "When remarked that his films targets a particular religion, Vipul said, "First and foremost, we have not targeted any religion or community in the film, neither in The Kerala Story (2023) or The Kerala St... #Kerala #High_Court #hits_back #Anurag_Kashyap #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #Vipul_Shah #Rehman_Dakait #show_Rehman
The Kerala Story 2 producer Vipul Shah says Kerala HC Division Bench’s final verdict is the “biggest proof of the truth of film” Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has stated that The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond does not target the state of Kerala or its people. His remarks came after the Kerala High Court Division Bench vacated the interim stay on the film’s release on Friday, February 27, clearing the path for its theatrical run. Addressing the media shortly after the court’s decision, Shah said that the legal hurdle had been removed and screenings had begun. He described the film as a “true” account made after considerable effort and rejected allegations from certain quarters that it promotes propaganda. “The Kerala High Court Division Bench has withdrawn the stay that we got yesterday. And they have cleared the way for the release of the film. Now our shows have already started opening. So I request the people that this is a true film made with a lot of hard work. And the biggest proof of the truth of our film is that the Kerala court has vacated the stay order. If our film was a lie, then the Kerala court would have seen it and the stay order would not have been vacated,” he said. #WATCH | Mumbai: Kerala High Court Division Bench lifts the stay on the release of the film Kerala Story 2 Kerala Story 2 Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah says, "Neither our film, nor I, nor anyone in my team is against the state of Kerala or the people of Kerala. Kerala is a… pic. twitter. com/c... #Kerala #High_Court #film #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Division_Bench #Court_Division #Kerala_court #Amrutlal_Shah #producer_Vipul
Evening news wrap: Arvind Kejriwal challenges PM Modi to hold fresh Delhi polls; HC gives nod to 'The Kerala Story 2' release; & more Arvind Kejriwal has challenged PM Modi to fresh Delhi polls, citing court relief in the liquor scam case. The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the release of 'The Kerala Story 2'. Meanwhile, Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan cities escalate tensions, while India's GDP shows robust 7.8% growth in Q3 FY26. #Modi #Arvind_Kejriwal #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Delhi_polls #fresh_Delhi #Kejriwal_challenges #scam_case #hold_fresh #citing_court
Kerala HC Division Bench lifts stay on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond The Kerala High Court on Friday vacated the interim stay imposed on the release of Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond, clearing the way for the film’s theatrical rollout. A Division Bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan set aside the order passed a day earlier by single-judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who had stayed the film’s release for 15 days and directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine representations made against it. Justice Thomas had issued the interim stay at 3 pm on Thursday while hearing two petitions challenging the film. He observed that there was, prima facie, an absence of application of mind by the CBFC while granting certification and asked the Board to consider revision petitions within two weeks. The order restrained the makers from releasing the film during this period. Later that evening, at 7. 30 pm, the Division Bench convened an urgent special sitting to hear an appeal filed by the film’s producers. After a hearing that lasted over two hours, the Bench reserved its verdict and pronounced it at 4 pm on Friday, lifting the stay. The petitions before the single judge had contended that the sequel misrepresented Kerala and had the potential to incite communal disharmony. One plea, filed by Kannur resident Sreedev Namboodiri, objected to the film’s title, teaser and trailer, alleging that certain themes and dialogues could trigger violence and... #High_Court #film #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #Division_Bench #theatrical_rollout #Bench_lifts #Justice_Thomas #Kurian_Thomas
Kerala HC Division Bench hears appeal against stay on The Kerala Story 2; verdict reserved The release of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond hit a legal hurdle on Thursday after the Kerala High Court convened a special evening sitting to hear an urgent appeal filed by the film’s producers. The appeal was moved after a single-judge bench earlier in the day stayed the film’s release for 15 days and directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to examine complaints raised against it. What triggered the appeal At around 2. 30 pm, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas passed an interim order restraining the release of the film while asking the CBFC to consider revision petitions filed by the objectors within two weeks. The judge observed that there appeared to be a prima facie lack of application of mind by the CBFC while granting certification. The film, however, is slated for release on Friday, including in international markets, prompting the producers to seek immediate relief. Division Bench questions process A Division Bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan assembled at 7. 30 pm and heard arguments for nearly two hours before reserving its verdict. During the hearing, the Bench raised concerns about whether the single judge had the jurisdiction to hear the matter in the first place. “Order passed by any bench outside jurisdiction will be automatically nullified,” the Bench remarked. Justice Dharmadhikari also observed that the proceedings appeared to have... #Kerala #High_Court #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #Court_convened #Division_Bench #Bench #legal_hurdle #special_evening
Kerala High Court stays release of The Kerala Story 2, directs CBFC to re-examine the film In what can be regarded as a major setback to the makers of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, the Kerala High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay against the release of the film, arguing that the UA certification by the Central Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) is questionable. The stay comes a couple of days after the court asked the producers to not release the film until the court delivers its verdict. This court order is also a big blow to the CBFC as the ostensible final authority for the suitability/non suitability of a film to be shown to the public. The court in its order also said that the guidelines for ensuring a film does not disrupt the society’s equilibrium appear not to have been adhered to by the CBFC. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas told the CBFC to re-examine the objections raised in the petitions within two weeks. Until the board gives a fresh decision, the film cannot be released. The court said it usually avoids interfering with a movie’s release, but stepped in because the concerns seemed real and needed careful review. The film was scheduled to be released on February 27. With the film, the only major release this week, being postponed the theatre exhibitors are in a panic. This writer spoke to Kumar Abhishek, Manager Connplex in Patna at 2. 55 pm on Thursday. “Sir, abhi tak humein koi information nahin aaya hai (we have no information about the postponeme... #Kerala #High_Court #Court #film #High #Kerala_Story #Central_Board #Kerala_High #Story #Film_Certification
Kerala HC stays ‘The Kerala Story 2’ for 15 days, a day before scheduled release The Kerala High Court has issued an interim stay on the release of 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond', scheduled for February 27. The court observed a prima facie non-application of mind by the censor board in granting certification. This decision follows petitions challenging the film's certificate, citing concerns about its portrayal of religious harmony in Kerala. #February #Kerala #High_Court #High #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #scheduled_release #interim_stay #scheduled
Kerala High Court halts release of The Kerala Story 2 rights; questions CBFC’s U/A certification The Kerala High Court on Tuesday instructed the producers of the controversial film The Kerala Story 2 to refrain from releasing its rights until the court delivers a verdict on petitions contesting its certification. While hearing the case, the bench observed that the concerns flagged by the petitioners appeared genuine and directed the filmmakers to put their plans on hold. The court insisted in a statement that movie is not released as scheduled tomorrow and that the makers have to wait for the hearing to conclude, giving the court time to decide on the petitions as well. The bench also raised questions about the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), asking them the reason behind giving U/A certificate instead of an ‘A’. The judges remarked, expressing surprise at the rating. The court further noted that the producers themselves were not pressing for an immediate screening and pointed out that there was limited time to examine the matter comprehensively. During arguments, counsel representing the CBFC defended the certification, stating that several films have previously used names of Indian states or cities in their titles. Examples cited included Go Goa Gone, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Delhi Belly, suggesting that objections to the current title were not unprecedented. The producers’ legal team argued that the film focuses on the e... #Kerala #High_Court #High #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #Tuesday_instructed #halts_release #Court_halts #court_delivers
The Kerala Story 2 teaser row: Makers deny removal rumours as Kerala High Court questions CBFC certification The controversy surrounding The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond intensified on February 24 after reports surfaced claiming that the film’s teaser had been removed amid legal scrutiny. However, the makers have categorically denied these claims. In an official statement, Sunshine Pictures clarified that the circulating news about the teaser being taken down is false adding, “Sunshine Pictures would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material. Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms. We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion”. The clarification comes after the Kerala High Court raised serious questions over the certification granted to the film by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while hearing three petitions seeking a stay on the film’s release and cancellation of its certification, o... #Kerala #controversy_surrounding #Kerala_Story #Kerala_High #Story #Sunshine_Pictures #Makers_deny #legal_scrutiny #surfaced_claiming #removed_amid
Kerala HC questions CBFC over certification of The Kerala Story 2; court to watch film before verdict The Kerala High Court on Tuesday raised serious questions over the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to the contentious film The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond. The Court said it would watch the film before deciding on three petitions seeking a stay on its release and cancellation of its certification. Hearing the matter, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas observed that the CBFC has a crucial responsibility, particularly when a film portrays a secular State like Kerala through what petitioners describe as a communal lens. “Kerala is so secular. It lives with total harmony but have you considered this when something is portrayed as happening all over the state? There is a wrong indication and can even incite passion and that is when the censor board (CBFC) comes in picture,” the judge remarked. The Court noted that since the film claims to be inspired by true events, the apprehensions raised by petitioners cannot be dismissed outright. “The film is projected as being inspired by true events and that, prima facie shows that the concerns raised by the petitioners appear to have some justification,” Justice Thomas said. He further pointed out that including the name ‘Kerala’ in the title heightens public concern. “Apprehensions of people in Kerala cannot be ignored because you have given the name Kerala… you say it is inspired by true events and n... #Kerala #High_Court #film #Kerala_Story #Central_Board #Kerala_High #Story #questions_CBFC #Tuesday_raised #certification_granted
Kerala HC seeks CBFC, producers’ response on plea to stay The Kerala Story 2 release The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the producers of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond on a petition seeking cancellation of the film’s certification and a stay on its release. The plea, filed by Kannur resident Sreedev Namboodiri, alleges that the upcoming sequel portrays Kerala in an unfair light and has the potential to incite communal and regional disharmony. The matter was heard by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who directed the CBFC and the film’s producer, Sunshine Pictures, to file their responses. The case is scheduled for further hearing on February 24. The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond is the sequel to the controversial Hindi film The Kerala Story, which depicted a group of women from Kerala who were allegedly recruited into the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In his petition, Namboodiri has challenged the certification granted to the sequel, arguing that the CBFC failed to properly evaluate the film’s impact on public order, decency and morality as mandated under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The plea raises concerns over the teaser and trailer of the film. It points to the closing line in the teaser — “ab sahenge nahin… ladenge” (we will not tolerate it anymore, but will fight) — claiming that it amounts to a call for action that could trigger violence. The petition also alleges that certain di... #Kerala #High_Court #Kerala_Story #Central_Board #Kerala_High #Thursday_issued #seeks_CBFC #issued_notice #seeking_cancellation #Story
