📌 Key Points
- Kerala Story 2 Blocked! Court halts release a day before debut.
- High Court Slams Censor Board! Accused of certifying without proper review.
- Justice questions CBFC: “Did you even watch the film properly?”
- Controversial film Banned for now: Inciting hatred allegations persist.
In a stunning pre-release twist, the Kerala High Court has stayed ‘The Kerala Story-2: Goes Beyond’, a controversial sequel, just one day before its February 27 premiere. This decisive action, coming amidst allegations of inciting religious hatred, casts a sharp spotlight on the Censor Board’s clearance. The film’s fate now hangs precariously, awaiting further judicial orders.
Court Stays Controversial Sequel
The Kerala High Court has issued an interim stay on the release of ‘The Kerala Story-2: Goes Beyond’, a sequel to the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’. This sensational decision comes just one day before the film was scheduled for release on February 27. The court’s decision followed petitions alleging that the film contains scenes inciting religious hatred and demeaning a particular community. Consequently, the film will not be screened until further orders, and its release date now depends solely on the court’s verdict.
During the hearing, the High Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), slamming it for issuing a certificate without properly examining objectionable scenes. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas reportedly expressed strong disapproval, stating that, prima facie, the Censor Board did not exercise its discretion and appeared to have completed the certification process merely as a formality, possibly without even watching the film. The court noted that the Censor Board’s guidelines were not followed in preventing elements that could harm social harmony. It is reported that the court issued this stay after watching the film.
Censor Board Slammed For Approval
Petitioners further argued that some dialogues in the teaser and trailer were designed to ignite conflict in society. In response, the High Court issued a 15-day stay and sent notices to the producers and the Censor Board seeking an explanation, stating that a final decision would be made only after a complete review of the film. This last-minute injunction came as a shock to the producers.
The previous film, ‘The Kerala Story’, also faced similar problems, but there are discussions that the release of Part 2 might prove more difficult. Interestingly, the Censor Board had reportedly imposed almost 16 cuts on the film, significantly trimming many main scenes and reducing the duration of kiss scenes. In this context, the court’s remarks blaming the Censor Board seem somewhat odd. Clarity on the film’s eventual release will likely emerge after the court’s next hearing.
Looking Ahead
Despite the Censor Board’s 16 cuts, the court’s decision throws ‘The Kerala Story 2’s’ release into further doubt. This unfolding saga isn’t just about one film; it’s a critical examination of artistic freedom versus regulatory oversight in our cinematic landscape. The next hearing will be pivotal.
