In Shorts
- Kerala High Court lifts interim stay on The Kerala Story 2 release
- Division Bench overturns Single Judge’s 15 day screening halt
- Film cleared after CBFC certified version with modifications
In a significant legal development, the Kerala High Court has cleared the path for the theatrical release of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, overturning an earlier order that had stalled the movie’s screening for 15 days.
The Division Bench comprising Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan passed the interim order while hearing an appeal filed by the film’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The appeal was moved late Thursday night, just hours after a Single Bench had stayed the film’s release citing concerns over its certification process.
According to court observations, the earlier findings questioning the certification granted by the Central Board of Film Certification were based only on select clips without viewing the film in its entirety. The bench stated that such conclusions could not be accepted without a full assessment of the content.
The court further noted that the filmmakers had already incorporated several insertions, excisions, and modifications in accordance with CBFC guidelines before receiving certification. This, it said, reflected that due application of mind had been exercised by the certification authority while approving the film.
Importantly, the bench highlighted that once a film is granted certification under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, there exists a prima facie presumption that regulatory guidelines including those related to public order have been considered. The responsibility to maintain law and order in case of any disruptions arising after release, the court added, rests with the state authorities.
The movie had previously faced legal challenges after petitions alleged that certain scenes could potentially disturb communal harmony. Following those concerns, a Single Bench had temporarily halted its release on February 26 and directed a re examination of its certification. However, the Division Bench’s latest intervention has effectively lifted that restriction, allowing distributors and theatre owners to proceed with scheduled screenings from February 27, 2026.
With the interim stay now set aside, the sequel to the widely debated 2023 film is expected to reach audiences as planned, even as legal proceedings in the matter continue.
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