Judicial Screening: The ‘Kerala Story 2’ Friday Release Is Hanging by a Thread

Townhall Times, New Delhi

Reporter: Bhavika Kalra

By: Legal & Media Desk | Kochi

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

The “freedom of expression” shield just took a significant hit in the Kerala High Court. While the producers were prepping for a massive February 27 rollout, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas has effectively paused the hype train.

The court didn’t just listen to the petitions today; it called out the film’s title and its marketing tactics in a way that suggests the judges aren’t buying the “artistic freedom” excuse at face value.

1. The ‘Harmony’ Reality Check

The most striking moment in court today was the judge’s direct challenge to the film’s premise.

The Observation: Justice Thomas remarked, “Kerala lives in total harmony. But you have portrayed that this is happening all over Kerala. There is a wrong indication, and it can also incite passion.”
The “Title” Trap: The court noted that while the film claims to be a “pan-India” story featuring victims from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the makers deliberately kept “Kerala” in the title. The judge observed that the apprehensions of Keralites “cannot be ignored” when the state’s name is used to brand a story of terror and conversion.

2. The ‘Teaser’ Takedown

In a massive blow to the marketing team, the court discovered a procedural lapse that could have serious legal consequences.

The Viral Line: The teaser features the aggressive line “Ab sahenge nahi… ladenge” (We won’t tolerate anymore… we will fight).
The Censor Breach: The court was informed that this teaser was never cleared by the CBFC. * The Order: Senior Advocate S. Sreekumar, representing the makers, had to concede and agreed to pull the teaser from all platforms until the court delivers its final verdict.

3. The Private Screening: Wednesday, Feb 25

The judges have refused to play the “guessing game.” They want to see the footage themselves before the public does.

The Order: The court has ordered a special screening for the judges tomorrow (Wednesday).
The Decision Point: If the judges find that the film deliberately denigrates the state or misrepresents facts to incite communal tension, they have the power to stay the release or demand a title change—similar to the Ghooskhor Pandit case cited by the petitioners today.

4. The “16 Cuts” Context

We now have the details on what the Censor Board (CBFC) actually did before granting the U/A certificate:

Violence & Intimacy: The board mandated 16 specific cuts. This includes reducing a rape scene by 50% and trimming kissing visuals significantly.
The Disclaimer: The filmmakers were forced to add a disclaimer stating the film is “inspired” by events, but the court today remarked that while the inspiration is in “bold letters,” the fictional nature is usually in “microscopic letters.”

Entity	Current Stance
Kerala High Court	Screening the film tomorrow; concerned about “communal passion.”
Producers	Agreed to pull uncertified teaser; defending “Artistic Freedom.”
Petitioners	Alleging the film is “manufactured rage” designed to defame Kerala.
State Government	CM Pinarayi Vijayan has labeled it “poisonous propaganda.”

The Verdict: Is Friday Cancelled?

As of 5:00 PM today, the February 27 release is in high-level jeopardy. If the judges walk out of tomorrow’s screening feeling that the film “stigmatizes” the Malayali community, you can expect a stay order by Thursday morning.