Kerala High Court Issues Notice to Filmmaker Vipul Shah Over 'The Kerala Story 2'
The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued an urgent notice to filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, in response to a petition challenging the film's certification and seeking the removal of the word 'Kerala' from its title.
Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan, hearing the plea, initially questioned whether the petition had become ineffective since the film had already been released and viewed by many. However, the court agreed to consider the case after the petitioner highlighted that the film's OTT release on ZEE5, which occurred on May 1, remains ongoing and relevant.
The petition contends that the film portrays the state of Kerala in a negative light and has the potential to disrupt communal harmony. It also alleges that the producer committed offences under Sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, etc., and acts prejudicial to harmony), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), and 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, the petitioner has sought to implead Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, citing the film's premiere on its OTT platform.
The court has not yet made a final ruling on the petition. Further proceedings are awaited.
