Kerala Story 2 has done something unexpected. It has united Kerala.
Across party lines, Malayalees have largely reacted negatively to the film. People who usually disagree on politics seem to agree on this.
A report by The Economic Times noted that the withdrawn trailer opened with a claim that in twenty five years India would become an Islamic nation.
For nearly sixty years of Congress rule, India did not become an Islamic country. But after eleven years of rule under Narendra Modi, a film suggests India is on the verge of becoming Muslim majority. That is not a small claim. It raises a basic question. What does that say about the present government? Should the BJP not be the first to object to such a narrative?
Now to the legal position.
On February 26, 2026, the Kerala High Court stopped the film’s release just one day before it was scheduled to hit theatres. The stay will continue for at least fifteen days while the Central Board of Film Certification re examines its decision.
The court said the trailer and teaser have the prima facie potential to disturb communal harmony. It also questioned how the Censor Board cleared the film without properly considering its social impact. The use of the name Kerala in the title, despite references to other states, was flagged as potentially misleading.
The court even asked for a private screening. When that did not happen, it relied on transcripts of the promotional material to pass the interim order.
For now, the film cannot be released unless the Censor Board issues a fresh, reasoned decision. The producers, led by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, may approach the Supreme Court.
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