Kochi, Feb 27: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has stayed a prior ruling that sought to delay the release of “The Kerala Story 2,” effectively allowing the movie to hit theaters as scheduled. The bench, consisting of Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan, passed the order after producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah challenged a Single Judge’s decision to halt the film for two weeks.
The legal dispute reached the Division Bench during an emergency session held at 7:30 pm on Thursday. The producer’s representatives argued against the previous requirement for the CBFC Chairperson to conduct a fresh revision of the film’s certification within a fortnight, citing the immediate logistical and financial pressures of a global release.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul declared that the film-making process is protected by the creator’s right to address social themes. He affirmed that the court should maintain its tradition of non-interference in cinematic portrayals of social issues. The legal team further maintained that “The Kerala Story 2” is a depiction of specific social challenges and not an attack on the state or its residents.
“The film only portrays a social evil,” the producer’s lawyers stated during the hearing. They asserted that halting the release would “financially finish” the filmmakers, considering the movie is locked for 1,800 screens worldwide. The defense noted that the film’s intent is to showcase how personal relationships can be used as a means of control, rather than to cause communal disharmony.
The film stars Aditi Bhatia, Ulka Gupta, and Aishwarya Ojha and is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. While critics and supporters have debated the trailer’s portrayal of romance and rebellion, the Division Bench’s ruling provides the necessary legal clearance for the film to proceed to the public.
