The Kerala High Court on Tuesday heard arguments on a writ petition seeking to quash the certificate for public exhibition granted to the film “The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond” by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas is hearing the matter and will continue the proceedings post-lunch.
According to sources, the court will thereafter decide whether it should view the film prior to its scheduled release on February 27.
The plea has been filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, a resident of Kannavam in Kannur district. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the CBFC, and the film’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah have been arrayed as respondents.
The petitioner has sought quashing of the certification granted for public viewing and has also prayed for certain modifications, including reconsideration of the film’s title.
The petition contends that the CBFC granted certification allegedly without due compliance with the statutory mandate under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
It states that the grievance arises from the teaser and trailer of the film, which, according to the petitioner, depict narratives involving women from multiple states but are presented under the title “The Kerala Story”.
The plea submits that such portrayal associates alleged incidents of terrorism, forced conversion, and demographic conspiracy exclusively with the State of Kerala.
The petitioner has argued that this depiction “has the potential to stigmatise an entire regional population, disturb public order, and incite communal and regional disharmony.”
The High Court is currently hearing arguments on the maintainability and merits of the challenge. The court is expected to decide whether it will view the film before its release, following which further orders on the plea are likely.
