The Kerala Story 2 ran into fresh trouble in Kerala on Saturday, after screenings were cancelled in several districts amid protests over the film’s content, which deals with alleged cases of forced religious conversions.
The film, which opened in cinemas following the lifting of a stay by the Kerala High Court, faced strong opposition from activist groups, leading to disruptions and cancellations in cities including Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, as per ANI.
The controversy dates back to the release of the film’s trailer, which drew criticism from sections of society who argued that the narrative could fuel communal tension in the state. On February 27, the High Court set aside an earlier interim order that had temporarily halted the film’s screening, clearing the way for its theatrical release.
However, protests continued despite the court’s decision. Members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged demonstrations outside theatres in Kannur, where screenings were disrupted. At Thrissur Fun Movies theatre, protesters reportedly poured charcoal on posters and set them on fire in full public view, triggering tense scenes and forcing the theatre management to issue refunds to ticket-holders.
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The protests form part of a wider campaign against the film, which claims to trace the stories of three young women who “fall into deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.” Following the unrest and low turnout, several theatres chose to cancel further shows.
Similar cancellations were reported at Cinepolis in Mall of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, where scheduled screenings were also halted due to protests and security concerns.
The makers of The Kerala Story 2 have maintained that the film, like its predecessor released in 2023, is “based on true cases.” The first film had also faced legal challenges and calls for a ban, with critics arguing that it risked deepening communal divisions.
Responding to the backlash, co-writer and producer Vipul Shah said at a press conference, “Neither our film nor I, nor my crew members are against the state of Kerala, it’s God’s own country. It’s a beautiful and wonderful state, but if something wrong is happening over there, then I’m just bringing it to people’s notice. Once you watch the film, you will see that we’ve not said anything negative about Kerala or the people of Kerala.”
An excerpt from India Today’s review of The Kerala Story 2 reads, “What can an actor really do in a film like The Kerala Story 2? Nuance has no space to exist when the screenplay has already decided who is evil, who is innocent, and who must suffer to make a larger point. Performances matter in films that are interested in human complexity. Here, the interest lies elsewhere: in driving home a message, again and again, until there is no room left for doubt.”
The film hit theatres on February 27.
