- Kerala High Court ordered a two-week interim stay on The Kerala Story 2 release a day before its release
- The film was scheduled for theatrical release tomorrow
- The Kerala Story 2 is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah
In a huge setback to the makers of The Kerala Story 2, the Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered a two-week interim stay on the release of the Hindi film which was set to be released in theatres tomorrow.
The Kerala Story 2, which sparked controversy ever since its promotional came out, is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah of Sunshine Pictures. The makers have maintained that the film is based on "true incidents".
The Kerala High Court was hearing the petition filed by Sreedev Namboodiri, asking that the UA censor certificate of the film should be cancelled. According to his petition, The Kerala Story 2 maligns and stereotypes the state and people of Kerala.
During the hearing, the court also lambasted the Censor Board for clearing The Kerala Story 2 without "applying its mind", adding that the board must consider the petitioner's complaint.
The court also said the film should not be released until arguments concluded, adding the teaser and trailer of the film have the "full potential to cause communal disharmony".
Sources told NDTV that Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of The Kerala Story 2, is set to file an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Kerala High Court's order.
Previously, The Kerala Story 2, which has a running time of 131 minutes and 24 seconds, was suggested 16 modifications by the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film was granted a U/A and 16+ certificate by the Censor Board.
Among the 16 edits, the significant changes include reductions in the visuals depicting women being slapped, hit, and rape to "50% of the original". The makers were also asked to cut down "lip-locking scenes" by half of the original time duration.
From Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to actor Prakash Raj and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, The Kerala Story 2 has been heavily criticised for its teaser and trailer.
When the judge asked the makers to arrange the screening of the film for the Kerala High Court, the makers of The Kerala Story 2 said they were not ready to do so.
Besides being called "propaganda" against the Muslim community, the film is also being called out for its alleged stereotypical depiction of Kerala and its people. The makers previously said that they are not targeting Kerala in the film.
Controversy, however, and The Kerala Story franchise go hand-in-hand. Even the first film in the movie series, The Kerala Story -- directed by Sudipto Sen -- went through its fair share of troubles. The first Kerala Story, also produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, courted bans in Kerala and West Bengal and yet went on two win two National Film Awards.
Also Read | Explained: Why The Kerala Story 2 Has Sparked A Political Storm Ahead Of Friday Release
