The release of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has been postponed following a stay on its release imposed by the Kerala high court. The court granted an interim stay on the film today (February 26), just a day prior to its scheduled release. It directed the Central Board of Film Certification to have a relook at the certification that was granted.
A bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas acted upon a petition moved by one Sreedev Namboodiri of Kannur, who had sought the quashing of the CBFC’s certificate issued to the film. The petitioner argued that the film was about women from various states, who were allegedly being lured into relationships and coerced into religious conversion, but the title The Kerala Story 2 allegedly linked the theme of forced religious conversion to the state of Kerala. He alleged that the film, due for release this week, would create a law and order situation.
While hearing the petition, the high court said that the people of Kerala lived in harmony. Observing that there was a lack of application of mind by the CBFC while granting certification to the film, the court directed the body to consider the revision petitions filed before it by the petitioner, within two weeks.
The petition pointed out that the title created a misleading regional association and undermined the dignity and reputation of the people of Kerala.
