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Kerala High Court urges 'Kerala Story 2' producers not to release movie until it passes an order — UPSC Current Affairs | February 25, 2026
Kerala High Court urges 'Kerala Story 2' producers not to release movie until it passes an order
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the observation while considering three petitions which sought the cancellation of the certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on the ground that the movie misrepresents the State of Kerala and might incite communal disharmony. As the Court's sitting hours ended for the day, Senior Advocate S Sreekumar told the Court that the movie is slated for release this Friday, February 27 and that its overseas rights have already been sold for distribution. The judge said that he will hear all parties and the film's release may be put on hold till the hearing is complete. "Then you can stall it right now. If you are putting the Court into a corner then I will state until we complete the hearing...I will give you enough and more time, you can argue but don't release it till the arguments are over...I will take up the matter tomorrow but I don't want them (petitioners) to come back tomorrow and say that you have already given the rights….without concluding the arguments; I can’t. Don’t make the entire issue infructuous…let them not give out the right or anything before the Court takes decision. The apprehension expressed by the petitioners is probably genuine, so once they release the rights tomorrow, then what is the point?" Justice Thomas orally remarked.
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Overview

Kerala HC stalls 'Kerala Story 2' release pending judicial review on communal harmony concerns

Key Facts

  1. High Court hearing held on 26 Feb 2024; film release was scheduled for 27 Feb 2024.
  2. Three petitions sought cancellation of the CBFC certificate alleging misrepresentation of Kerala and risk of communal disharmony.
  3. The Central Board of Film Certification had earlier granted a certification to the film.
  4. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ordered that the film not be released until all arguments are heard.
  5. Overseas distribution rights for the film had already been sold before the stay order.
  6. The issue invokes Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech) versus Article 19(2) (reasonable restrictions for public order).

Background & Context

The case highlights the constitutional balance between freedom of expression and public order, the scope of judicial review over CBFC decisions under Article 226, and the growing role of courts in pre‑release scrutiny of media content to prevent communal tensions.

Mains Answer Angle

GS 1 – Examine the tension between media freedom and communal harmony, analysing judicial intervention in film certification and its implications for democratic governance.

Full Article

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas made the observation while considering three petitions which sought the cancellation of the certificate granted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on the ground that the movie misrepresents the State of Kerala and might incite communal disharmony. As the Court's sitting hours ended for the day, Senior Advocate S Sreekumar told the Court that the movie is slated for release this Friday, February 27 and that its overseas rights have already been sold for distribution. The judge said that he will hear all parties and the film's release may be put on hold till the hearing is complete. "Then you can stall it right now. If you are putting the Court into a corner then I will state until we complete the hearing...I will give you enough and more time, you can argue but don't release it till the arguments are over...I will take up the matter tomorrow but I don't want them (petitioners) to come back tomorrow and say that you have already given the rights….without concluding the arguments; I can’t. Don’t make the entire issue infructuous…let them not give out the right or anything before the Court takes decision. The apprehension expressed by the petitioners is probably genuine, so once they release the rights tomorrow, then what is the point?" Justice Thomas orally remarked.
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Analysis

Practice Questions

Prelims
Medium
Prelims MCQ

Freedom of expression and its reasonable restrictions

1 marks
4 keywords
GS1
Easy
Mains Short Answer

Judicial review of censorship

10 marks
5 keywords
GS1
Hard
Mains Essay

Freedom of expression vs communal harmony

250 marks
6 keywords
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