Kerala High Court Pauses Release Of Kerala Story 2, Asks CBFC To Re-Examine

New Delhi: The Kerala High Court on February 26 stayed release of the movie Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, after pleas challenging its censor certification. It is to be noted here that the film was scheduled to be released on Friday (February 27) in theaters.

As per the report by Live Law, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas in his order said, "...the very content in the teaser itself, which is conceded to be part of the movie, has the prima facie potential to distort the public perception and disturb communal harmony..."

Kerala High Court stays the release of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond for 15 days. The film will not be released tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/EOZIWscLif

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2026

As per the reports, the court further added, "Dissemination of content which has a tendency to create discord, disturb law and order, even undermine social harmony cannot come within the gamut of freedom of speech and expression enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India."

The Kerala Story 2 is helmed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The story of The Kerala Story 2 depicts that young Hindu women are lured into interfaith marriages, then assaulted, and then forced to convert to Islam. The film landed into controversy due to its content after the release of its trailer.

As per the report of Live Law, ''It had thereafter heard detailed arguments adduced by the petitioners' counsel, the senior counsel appearing for the producer and the counsel for the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It had then reserved its verdict. The petitioners in the cases had argued that the certification to the movie was granted without duly complying with the statutory mandate under the Cinematograph Act. It was contended that the title of the movie combined with the narratives portrayed in the film, including forced conversions, terrorism, would stigmatise the entire region of Kerala. They argued that the content of the movie is such that to incite passion and communal violence.''