Just two days before its planned theatrical arrival, The Kerala Story 2 has hit a major legal speed bump in Kerala. The Kerala High Court has instructed the film’s producers to pause any move to release or deal with the film’s rights until the court delivers its verdict on petitions challenging the certification granted to the film.
The matter was heard on Tuesday, February 25, 2026, and the case is scheduled to be taken up again on February 26, giving the court time to continue hearing submissions.
What The Kerala High Court Said In Court
During the hearing, the bench observed that the concerns raised by the petitioners appeared genuine and asked the makers to put their release related plans on hold until the court decides the pending petitions. The court also recorded an undertaking by the filmmakers that they would await the ruling before proceeding further.
A key point of discussion was the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to grant the film a U/A certificate. The bench questioned why the film was not given an ‘A’ certificate instead, with the judges noting their surprise at the rating.
The court also underlined that the issue at hand was not a question of Kerala’s dignity alone, but of India’s dignity, remarking that Kerala is a part of India and not a location isolated from the country.
On behalf of the CBFC, counsel defended the certification and argued that films have previously used the names of Indian states or cities in their titles. Titles cited in court included Go Goa Gone, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Delhi Belly.
The producers’ legal team maintained that the film is centred on the experiences of women survivors and argued that the petition raises broader legal questions. They also submitted that the plea to quash the certification was not legally sustainable.
The Kerala Story 2 Cast And Film Details
The Kerala Story 2 is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The film stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha in the lead. The controversy around the project intensified after its trailer drew sharp political and public reactions in recent weeks.
As of February 25, 2026, the release is now effectively on hold pending the Kerala High Court’s next hearing and ruling in the matter.
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