'The Kerala Story 2' row: Makers deny rumours of teaser removal
Mumbai, February 25
The makers of 'The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond' have dismissed reports claiming the film's teaser was pulled following court intervention.
Sunshine Pictures issued a statement that said, "...would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently sub judice. No judgment or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content. We have not deleted or taken down any material."
The statement further read, "Both the teaser and the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond continue to remain available across all our official platforms. We strongly urge media houses, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from spreading unverified information and speculative reports. Such misinformation only creates unnecessary confusion."
Earlier on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court ordered the makers of The Kerala Story 2 to arrange a screening of the Hindi film for the court in Kochi before its release on Friday.
The Kerala Story 2, the sequel of the National Award-winning The Kerala Story, which released in 2023, follows the lives of three young women who fall into what the film describes as deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.
The sequel has sparked strong reactions since its trailer launch. Opposition leaders, celebrities and several social media users have criticised it as "propaganda", while the filmmakers maintain that it is based on researched real-life incidents.
In an interview with ANI, director Kamakhya Narayan Singh asserted that if he had shown anything wrong or misleading in the film, he would "leave filmmaking."
— ANI
Reader Comments
First part was highly controversial but also a box office hit. This sequel was bound to create a storm. The court screening order is a good step - let the judges see if there's any factual misrepresentation before it reaches the public.
As someone from Kerala, I'm tired of my state being portrayed in a certain light by these films. There are social issues everywhere in India. Making a whole franchise based on sensationalizing one state's problems feels unfair. We are more than this narrative.
The director saying he'd "leave filmmaking" if he showed anything wrong is quite a statement! But the real question is, who decides what's "wrong" or "misleading"? These are sensitive topics that need careful handling, not just bold claims.
Whether it's propaganda or based on truth, the buzz is definitely working for them. Free publicity! But seriously, if the film is about real incidents, it should be made. We can't ignore issues just because they are uncomfortable. 🇮🇳
I respect the court's intervention. In today's climate, films can influence public opinion heavily. A pre-screening for the court is a responsible measure. Hope the filmmakers have done their research properly this time.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.