Kerala HC issues notice to ‘Kerala Story 2’ producer on title challenge
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Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued an urgent notice to filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah, producer of "Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond", on a petition challenging the film’s certification and seeking the removal of the word “Kerala” from its title.
A bench headed by Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, while hearing the petition, questioned whether the matter had become ineffective since the film had already been released and viewed by a large number of people.
However, the court agreed to consider the plea after the petitioner pointed out that the issue remained relevant due to the film’s availability on digital platforms.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the matter continued to survive as the movie was now accessible through OTT platforms.
The court also observed that the legal maintainability of a petition challenging a film certification could be examined during the final hearing stage.
The petition challenges the certification granted to the film, alleging that its content damages Kerala’s reputation and promotes social disharmony.
The petitioner has accused the producer of offences under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to promoting enmity between groups, acts affecting national integration, and deliberate actions intended to hurt religious sentiments.
The plea has also sought to include Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited as a party, as the film was released on an OTT platform on May 1.
The petitioner submitted additional documents, including an email sent to the OTT platform’s grievance officer and social media screenshots, alleging that the film was being presented as a factual account and used to promote a narrative against Keralites and minority communities.
The latest petition comes after an earlier round of legal proceedings concerning the film’s release. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas had earlier recused himself from hearing the matter.
The film was released after a Division Bench lifted an interim order that had temporarily stayed its release. Later, earlier petitions were dismissed, and the High Court also dismissed as infructuous appeals filed by the Centre and the producer.
While hearing those appeals, the Division Bench had left open the broader legal question raised by the Central Board of Film Certification and the Union government regarding whether private petitions challenging film certification are legally maintainable on the grounds that a movie allegedly harms the reputation of a state.
The High Court will now examine the fresh petition, while the film continues to remain available through digital release.
With IANS inputs