Kerala HC stays ‘The Kerala Story 2’ for 15 days, a day before scheduled release

NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued an interim stay on the release of the film ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’, for 15 days, a day before its scheduled to release on February 27.The Court observed that, prima facie, there appeared to be non-application of mind by the censor board while granting certification to the movie, reported PTI. The interim order came after the court heard petitions challenging the censor certificate granted to the film and seeking suspension of its release. The bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas was considering pleas filed by Sreedev Namboothiri of Kannur and others. During proceedings on Tuesday, the court orally observed that the apprehensions raised by sections of people in Kerala over the film’s release could not be ignored, particularly since the filmmakers had claimed it was based on true events and had used ‘Kerala’ in the title.“Kerala lives in total harmony among various religions. But portraying it in such a manner as though this is what is happening all over Kerala gives a wrong indication and may also incite passions, which is where the censor board comes into play,” the court said.Later in the day makers of the film filed for a review of the judgement in front of a division bench. According to Bar to Bench, the matter was taken up for an urgent hearing at 7:30 pm, late evening. During the hearing the Justices observed that given the public interest nature of the matter it should not have been heard by a single bench.The division bench after hearing both parties reserved the order.