The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought a special screening of the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond after observing that its teaser and trailer “wrongly portray” the people of Kerala. The film is scheduled to release on February 27, 2026.
A Bench led by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the observation while hearing petitions challenging the grant of censor certification to the film.
The pleas argued that the promotional material casts the State and its people in a negative light, potentially disturbing communal harmony.
“The people of Kerala live in harmony and uphold secularism. But the film portrays them wrongly,” the Bench remarked during the proceedings. The court noted that the concerns raised by petitioners could not be brushed aside lightly, especially given the sensitivities involved.
Referring to the title of the film, the court observed that although the filmmakers have described it as a “pan-India story,” the use of Kerala in the title creates a direct association with the State.
“The apprehensions of the people of the State cannot be ignored, since the filmmakers, who say that it features a pan-India story, have used Kerala in the title. This could lead to communal tensions,” the Bench said.
In view of these concerns, the High Court sought steps to arrange a screening of the film before it on Wednesday. The direction indicates that the court intends to examine the content more closely before deciding on further action.
The matter has drawn significant public attention, with the film’s teaser and trailer already triggering sharp reactions on social media. Critics have alleged that the narrative appears to misrepresent the social fabric of Kerala, while supporters of the film have defended it as an exercise of creative expression.
During the hearing, the High Court also directed the Centre to “come up with instructions” in the post-lunch session, signaling that it expects a clear response from the Union government regarding the certification and the concerns raised.
With the release date just days away, the court’s decision to seek a screening adds a fresh legal twist to the film’s rollout, leaving its immediate future uncertain pending further judicial scrutiny.
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