Madras HC restrains illegal broadcast of ‘The Kerala Story 2’; Kerala HC earlier cleared release

Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed an interim injunction on petitions filed by production house Sunshine Pictures Limited, which apprehended infringement of its copyright in the film, The Indian Express reported.

“In matters of this nature, it is likely that irreversible injury will occur unless unlawful broadcast is prevented at the threshold,” the court observed.

At the same time, it noted that the expansive nature of the relief sought could affect legitimate business interests of some respondents and directed the plaintiff to furnish an indemnity.

Kerala HC Clears Release

Days earlier, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court granted interim relief for the film’s release, clearing the way for its theatrical debut.

The Bench comprising Justices SA Dharmadhikari and PV Balakrishnan set aside an earlier order by single-judge Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, who had temporarily stayed the release while directing the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to reconsider objections raised against the film.

Justice Thomas had imposed a 15-day stay and criticised the CBFC for allegedly granting certification “without applying its mind.”

Following the Division Bench’s intervention, the stay was lifted and the film was released as scheduled.

Controversy Over Content

The controversy intensified after the trailer depicted Hindu women allegedly being targeted by Islamic men under the guise of romantic relationships, portraying such relationships as tools of manipulation and coercion.

Justice Thomas had orally observed that the portrayal appeared misleading and did not reflect the ground reality in Kerala, a state known for communal harmony. He cautioned that presenting such incidents as widespread could create a false impression and potentially incite tensions.

While acknowledging artistic freedom, the court noted that branding the film as inspired by true events and explicitly linking it to Kerala could lead to public misunderstanding and unrest.

The film has been written by Amarnath Jha and Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh.