The Kerala High Court on Friday paved the way for the release of The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond by staying a single judge’s order that had put the film’s screening on hold for 15 days.
The interim relief came hours after the earlier order stalled the movie’s release.
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A division bench comprising Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan passed the interim order on an appeal filed by the film’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah late Thursday night.
In its ruling, the bench observed that the single judge’s conclusion — that certification guidelines had not been properly considered by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) — was based “merely on the basis of a few clippings and without viewing the movie” and therefore “cannot be countenanced.”
The court further noted that insertions, excisions and modifications had been carried out in the film in accordance with CBFC directions. This, the bench said, reinforced the view that there had been an application of mind while granting certification.
Presumption of Valid Certification Under Law
The bench emphasised that once a certificate has been issued, there is a prima facie presumption that the authority concerned has taken into account all relevant guidelines, including concerns relating to public order.
It added that if any issue of public order arises following the film’s release, “it is the duty of the state to maintain it.”
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The court clarified that this presumption includes an assessment of the film in its entirety, considering its overall impact under the framework of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and related certification guidelines.
“In such circumstances, merely on the basis of a few clippings and without viewing the movie, the finding of the single judge… cannot be countenanced,” the bench said, while staying the February 26, 2026 order that had interdicted the film’s release.
Producer’s Arguments Before the Court
In his appeal, Shah argued that the film does not harm or denigrate the state of Kerala or any religious community.
“The film only portrays a social evil,” his lawyers told the court.
He also contended that delaying the release would “financially finish” the producers. According to submissions, the film is scheduled to be screened in 1,500 theatres across India and more than 300 overseas.
Why the Film Was Earlier Stayed
The single judge had earlier stayed the release, observing that there was prima facie “manifest non-application of mind” by the CBFC in granting certification.
The judge also flagged the “possibility of communal disharmony or denigration of a community” and held that releasing the film without further scrutiny by higher authorities could be legally improper.
Additionally, the court had noted that content in the film’s teaser had “a prima facie potential to distort public perception and disturb communal harmony.”
With the division bench’s interim stay now in place, the release of The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond can proceed, subject to further judicial consideration.
