PIL seeks removal of word ‘Kerala’ from title of movie ‘The Kerala Story 2’

Kochi: A PIL has been filed in high court seeking a directive to remove the word ‘Kerala' from the title of the movie ‘The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond', which was released in cinemas last week.K C Chandra Mohan, a retired school teacher, and another petitioner approached HC, alleging that a film portraying the story of three victims of forced religious conversion, with a title containing the word ‘Kerala,' would create enmity against the Muslim community in the state. The petitioners further sought a directive to the central govt and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to screen the movie with a disclaimer stating that it is purely fictional and that no authentic data or official findings support any allegation that Kerala is a hub of terrorism.Additionally, they sought a direction to the Union govt and CBFC to frame, publish and implement clear guidelines governing the titling and marketing of cinematograph films to ensure that titles and taglines do not denigrate, stereotype or incite hatred or contempt against any identifiable state, region, caste, religion or other community, in line with judicial precedents.Earlier, although a single bench had stayed the release of the movie in two other petitions challenging it, a division bench, in an appeal filed by the filmmakers, stayed the single bench's order and permitted the release of the movie.