Kerala High Court Engages in Legal Discourse Over ‘The Kerala Story 2’
The Kerala High Court has issued a notice to Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the producer of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, in response to a plea requesting the removal of the film from the OTT platform Zee5. The case in question, Yohan George v Union of India & ors, was overseen by Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, who is reviewing an application related to a pending petition challenging the film prior to its release.
Judicial Inquiry into the OTT Release
During the proceedings, Justice Kunhikrishnan initially raised concerns about the relevance of the plea following the film’s theatrical release. He remarked, “Naatukar muzhuvan kandechkazhinj inni OTTill entha?” translating to, “Everyone has seen the film, what is the problem with its OTT release?” He pointed out that OTT platforms reach a smaller audience. Nonetheless, the Court decided to further examine the plea, while leaving the question of its maintainability open.
Petitioner’s Concerns Over Film Content
Yohan George, a Kochi resident, filed the application, challenging the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approval for the film and demanding the removal of the words “Kerala/Keralam” from the film’s title. George previously opposed the film’s theatrical release, arguing that it misrepresented Kerala and incited communal tensions. Initially, a single judge bench had halted the film’s release on February 26. However, following an urgent appeal by the filmmakers, a Division Bench overturned this decision on February 27, permitting the film’s release. The primary petition remains unresolved.
Concerns Over Digital Circulation
Since its debut on Zee5 on May 1, 2026, George has renewed his efforts to have the film removed from the platform, citing concerns over a misleading portrayal of Kerala. His plea indicates that the film’s availability on Zee5 has facilitated the widespread distribution of clips on social media, often promoting the film as a factual account and fostering animosity towards the Muslim community and Malayalis.
Legal Representation and Future Proceedings
George’s representation, managed by advocate Chelson Chembarathy, further argues that the dissemination of such content has contributed to a distorted public perception of Kerala and its Muslim populace, leading to an online campaign of disparagement. The application highlights the circulation of snippets across platforms like Instagram, X, and Reddit, tagged with inflammatory hashtags such as #JaagoHinduJaago, which falsely assert the film’s depiction of actual events.
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The High Court’s notice to Vipul Amrutlal Shah is a critical step in the judicial examination of the film’s CBFC certification and the request to alter its title, emphasizing the ongoing legal discourse surrounding the film’s impact on societal perceptions.
