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Kerala Chief Minister Condemns “The Kerala Story 2” as Divisive Propaganda
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly condemned the upcoming film “The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond,” describing it as a continuation of “false propaganda” aimed at damaging Kerala’s secular reputation. The controversy erupted shortly after the trailer’s release, with the Chief Minister issuing a public statement criticizing the sequel to the 2023 film.
“The release of a second part of The Kerala Story, which was made with the agenda of spreading hatred against Kerala and insulting our secular traditions, should be seen seriously,” Vijayan stated. He emphasized that the first installment was “filled with lies, hate, and anti-Kerala propaganda and produced with communal motives,” noting that it had been largely rejected by the state’s residents.
The film, produced by Vipul Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, tells the story of three Hindu women, portrayed by Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha, whose interfaith relationships allegedly conceal “a calculated agenda of religious conversion,” according to the official synopsis.
Chief Minister Vijayan sees the production as part of a larger attempt to undermine Kerala’s model of peaceful coexistence. “Those who fear Kerala’s model of brotherhood and secularism are the forces behind these continued hate campaigns,” he asserted. “Sangh Parivar had circulated this ludicrous and false narrative of The Kerala Story. They spread misleading propaganda by portraying even mutually agreed-upon marriages as forced religious conversion.”
Kerala has long been recognized for its religious diversity and relatively harmonious interfaith relations compared to some other Indian states. The state has one of India’s highest literacy rates and a unique social fabric that includes substantial Hindu, Muslim, and Christian populations who have historically coexisted with minimal communal violence.
“They view Kerala with hostility because it is a land without communal riots, where people belonging to different religions coexist with mutual respect and cooperation. These forces, which try to shatter the peace and harmony of our land, are the true enemies of our state,” the Chief Minister continued.
Vijayan also highlighted what he perceives as a double standard in film censorship. “It is surprising how poisonous works produced with the aim of spreading division and hatred in the society are allowed to be shown at a time when a film was even denied permission to be shown at a film festival because of the name Beef,” he remarked.
The controversy around “The Kerala Story” franchise reflects broader tensions in Indian cinema and politics regarding religious representation and narratives about conversion. The original film faced criticism from several quarters for allegedly exaggerating claims about religious conversion and radicalization in Kerala.
Film industry analysts note that controversial themes related to religion and politics have increasingly become box office draws in Indian cinema, with producers sometimes capitalizing on divisive narratives to generate publicity and viewership.
“The Kerala Story 2 Goes Beyond” is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, more than two years away, which suggests the producers may be announcing the project early to build anticipation and possibly respond to the criticism being leveled against it.
As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how filmmakers will respond to the Chief Minister’s statements and whether the film’s content might be modified before its eventual release.
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7 Comments
As a viewer, I’m always wary of films that seem to have an overt ‘agenda’, whether ideological or commercial. The Kerala CM’s warnings about this sequel’s potential for spreading ‘hatred’ are worth taking seriously.
The controversy around this film highlights the fine line between artistic expression and social responsibility. While freedom of speech is important, the potential to inflame tensions and damage social harmony is also a valid concern.
The Kerala CM’s strong rebuke of this film as ‘false propaganda’ is a serious accusation. I’m curious to learn more about the specific claims and representations that are being challenged, as this could provide important context.
The CM’s strong condemnation of this sequel as furthering ‘false propaganda’ and ‘hatred’ is concerning. Films can have a powerful influence, so responsible storytelling is crucial, especially on controversial subjects. I’ll be watching this story closely.
The Kerala government’s rejection of this film as an attempt to ‘insult secular traditions’ raises important questions about artistic expression, social commentary, and public interest. I hope both sides engage in constructive dialogue to find a balanced approach.
The CM’s critique of the first film as ‘filled with lies, hate, and anti-Kerala propaganda’ is quite a strong statement. It suggests the sequel may continue down a similarly divisive path, which is concerning for social harmony.
Interesting that the Kerala CM is calling out this film as propaganda. It’s important to scrutinize media portrayals, especially on sensitive topics like religion and social issues. I’m curious to learn more about the alleged misrepresentations in the first film.