The Kerala High Court has temporarily blocked the release of "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond", which was set to hit theaters tomorrow. The court's decision, on Thursday, came after concerns were raised about the film's potential to disrupt public harmony.
The judge pointed out that the film's teaser, containing visuals that are part of the movie, could affect how people view certain issues and potentially cause social unrest. The court also lambasted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for possibly ignoring the guidelines that govern film approvals and asked them to reconsider their decision.
According to the court, content that could harm public peace or stoke communal tensions is not protected under the right to free speech. This ruling follows legal petitions questioning the film's certification and the potential harm it could cause.
On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court had raised concerns about the upcoming movie "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" getting clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), in response to three petitions demanding a cancellation of the film's certification and its release, keeping in mind that it could trigger communal tensions.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas pointed out the responsibilities of CBFC when it comes to portraying a "secular" region like Kerala in a manner that could be seen as dividing communities. He added that Kerala is "a place where people live in harmony", and portraying the region in a distorted and false manner could send the wrong message and potentially create unrest.
The judge noted that since the film claims to be based on true events, the concerns raised by the petitioners about misrepresentation and causing social discord seem valid.
Justice Thomas also mentioned that while he usually doesn’t interfere with artistic creations, the claim that the film is inspired by true events, along with the use of "Kerala" in the title, could lead to communal tension.
The judge questioned whether the film adheres to the rules and guidelines established by CBFC, given the subject matter, while acknowledging the importance of creative freedom.
"The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
Meanwhile, during a promotional event for the film held in Delhi, the makers brought to the stage 37 women who claimed to be victims of "Love Jihad." However, it was later revealed that none of the women was from Kerala. The makers have apparently been unable to give a proper answer on this either.
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah continues to maintain that the film is not intended to target Kerala but aims to address a broader issue of manipulative conversions across India, calling it a "pan-Indian" film, unlike the first part, which was more specific to Kerala.
