Kerala high court lifts stay on ‘The Kerala Story-2’ release

Thiruvananthapuram : The Kerala High Court on Friday lifted the interim stay imposed by a single-judge bench on the release of the controversial film The Kerala Story 2, clearing the way for its theatrical release.

A division bench comprising Justice S.A. Dharmadhikari and Justice P.V. Balakrishnan stayed the earlier order issued by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who had temporarily restrained the film’s release for 15 days. The division bench passed the order after hearing an appeal filed by the film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who had challenged the single-judge bench’s directive.

The producer had approached the division bench urgently, stating that the film was scheduled for release on February 27 and any delay would result in significant financial losses. The court conducted an extensive hearing lasting nearly two hours on Thursday evening before reserving its verdict, which was pronounced on Friday.

In his appeal, Shah argued that the film does not target or defame the state of Kerala or any particular community. He maintained that the movie focuses on highlighting social issues rather than portraying any group in a negative light. The petition further stated that halting the release would cause severe financial damage to the producers, distributors, and theatre owners involved in the project.

According to submissions made before the court, the film is slated for release in more than 1,500 theatres across India and over 300 screens internationally. The producer’s legal team argued that the stay order would severely impact the film’s commercial prospects and disrupt nationwide distribution arrangements.

The legal challenge and subsequent court intervention had generated widespread attention, reflecting the ongoing debates surrounding films dealing with sensitive themes. With the division bench now staying the earlier restriction, the producers are expected to proceed with the scheduled release.

The development is seen as a significant relief for the filmmakers and distributors, while also highlighting the judiciary’s role in balancing creative freedom with legal and social considerations.