Controversy Surrounds ‘The Kerala Story 2’ as Legal Challenges Mount

Nearly three years after the release of the contentious “The Kerala Story,” its sequel “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond” has ignited fresh controversy across India. The film, which claims to be “inspired by many true events,” faces mounting criticism from prominent film industry figures and legal challenges in Kerala’s judicial system.

Acclaimed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap made headlines this week with his unfiltered criticism of the project during an impromptu interview at Kochi Airport. When questioned about the film, Kashyap didn’t mince words, calling it “bullshit propaganda.”

“Who feeds someone beef like this? No one is fed even khichdi in this manner,” Kashyap remarked, referencing a controversial scene from the film’s trailer. He further criticized the filmmakers’ motives, stating, “They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money.”

The Kerala High Court has now entered the fray, issuing a notice to the producers following a writ petition challenging the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The petition specifically objects to promotional materials that allegedly depict women from various states being trapped in relationships and coerced into religious conversion.

According to court documents, the petitioner argues that despite the narrative spanning multiple states, the title specifically associates terrorism, forced conversions, and population manipulation plots with Kerala. Of particular concern is the Hindi tagline in the teaser that translates to “We will not tolerate it anymore… we will fight,” which critics claim could potentially incite communal violence.

The petition further alleges that the CBFC failed to adhere to Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act of 1952, which prohibits certification for content that could harm public peace, morality, or decency, or that might encourage criminal activity. The legal challenge also references previous controversies surrounding the first film, noting that the makers had been required to add a disclaimer acknowledging that certain numerical claims in the original film were unverified and partially fictionalized.

The petitioner contends that the sequel received CBFC approval without adequate scrutiny of its potential impact on communal harmony or state dignity, despite previous legal challenges. The petition seeks revocation of the certification, review of the title and disclaimers, and a stay on the film’s release pending further investigation.

Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has defended the film’s title despite acknowledgments that it’s not a direct continuation of the original narrative. “Kerala Story 2 goes beyond Kerala and exposes the massive conspiracy of manipulative conversion going on throughout India,” Shah told ANI. “Because its central theme is the same as Kerala Story 1, we named it Kerala Story 2.”

Shah also addressed the relative lack of direct threats against the production thus far: “Till now, there has been no threat to this film. When you are telling the truth, perhaps you are not in that much danger because people feel that if we threaten a person who tells the truth, there could be backlash.”

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions in Indian cinema regarding films that touch on sensitive religious and political themes. The original “The Kerala Story” sparked nationwide debates about the representation of religious communities and the line between artistic expression and inflammatory content.

While the legal and public discourse unfolds around “The Kerala Story 2,” Anurag Kashyap continues work on his own projects, including the anticipated film “Kennedy,” starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, which is scheduled for an India release on streaming platform ZEE5.