In a significant development for the makers of the controversial franchise, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has officially granted a U/A certificate to the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2. This rating marks a departure from the first installment, which was originally released with an ‘A’ (Adults Only) rating in 2023.
Wider Reach for the Sequel
The U/A certification means that the film is now cleared for a broader audience, specifically allowing viewers aged 14 and above to watch it in theaters. According to industry sources, the certification came after the filmmakers agreed to certain cuts and modifications suggested by the board.
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah expressed his gratitude toward the Censor Board, noting that the U/A rating is a victory for the film’s message. “I am truly grateful to the Board for granting a U/A certificate. It reflects their faith in the integrity of our storytelling,” Shah said in a statement. He emphasized that this allows the film to reach “young girls and families,” which he describes as the target demographic for the film’s “awareness-driven” narrative.
Fresh Legal Challenges in Kerala
Despite the green light from the CBFC, the film faces a turbulent road to its scheduled release on February 27, 2026. On Thursday, the Kerala High Court issued notices to the film’s producers and the CBFC following a writ petition filed by a local resident.
The petitioner argues that the film’s title and promotional materials continue to unfairly stereotype the state of Kerala. Key points raised in the legal challenge include:
Regional Stereotyping: Claims that the film associates the entire state with terrorism and forced conversions. Public Order: Concerns that the film’s tagline, “Ab sahenge nahin, ladenge” (We will not tolerate anymore, we will fight), could incite communal tension or violence.
Inadequate Scrutiny: Allegations that the CBFC failed to apply statutory safeguards to ensure the content does not promote disharmony.
Political Backlash
The certification has also reignited political friction. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently slammed the sequel, labeling it “poisonous propaganda” aimed at undermining the secular fabric of the state. He urged the public to reject the film, stating that it distorts reality to serve a specific communal agenda.
While the first film was a massive box-office success—earning over ₹200 crore—it was also criticized for its original claim that 32,000 women from Kerala had joined ISIS, a figure the makers later clarified as being based on the stories of three individuals.
As the court prepares for its next hearing on February 24, the film remains a lightning rod for debate on the intersection of creative freedom, regional identity, and social responsibility. To
know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
