Kerala High Court Clears The Kerala Story 2 for Release, Division Bench Halts Single Judge’s Ban

The Kerala High Court has paved the way for the theatrical release of The Kerala Story 2 after a Division Bench stayed an earlier order passed by a single judge that had temporarily blocked the film’s screening. The decision came after the film’s producers challenged the interim ban, arguing that the order was excessive and unjustified, especially after the movie had already received certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Earlier, a single judge of the Kerala High Court had restrained the release of the film for a limited period, citing concerns raised in petitions about its potential impact on social harmony. The petitioners claimed that the movie’s content and title could misrepresent facts and disturb communal peace, and also questioned whether the CBFC had applied its mind properly before granting clearance.

However, when the matter was taken up by a Division Bench on appeal, the court took a different view. The Bench observed that once a film has been certified by the CBFC, it is presumed to have passed the required legal and regulatory checks. Interfering with its release at an interim stage, without a detailed examination of the content, could amount to an overreach. The judges held that the earlier order needed reconsideration and therefore stayed its operation, allowing the film to be released as scheduled.

The court also underlined the importance of freedom of expression, especially in creative works such as cinema. While acknowledging that concerns regarding public order and communal harmony must be treated seriously, the Bench noted that preventive bans should be used sparingly and only in exceptional circumstances. It emphasized that the appropriate remedy would be to assess the film in full during final hearings rather than stopping its release through an interim direction.

With the stay on the single judge’s order, the producers of The Kerala Story 2 received major relief, and the film is now free to hit theatres across Kerala and other parts of the country. At the same time, the legal challenge to the movie has not been dismissed. The High Court will continue to hear the petitions questioning the certification and content of the film in the coming days.