Kochi: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Kerala High Court challenging the title and release of the recently released film The Kerala Story 2. The petitioners have sought the removal of the word “Kerala” from the film’s title, contending that it allegedly associates the State with sensitive and controversial themes that could harm its image.
The PIL, submitted on March 3 by a retired social science teacher and a practising lawyer, also urges the court to direct authorities to frame stricter guidelines for film titles and disclaimers to prevent what they describe as potential defamation of states and communities.
According to the plea, the film’s title and subject matter risk portraying Kerala in a negative light. The petitioners have alleged that the narrative reportedly depicts the State as a hub for forced religious conversions, a claim they argue could tarnish Kerala’s social and cultural reputation.
The petition states that associating the name of the State with such themes, without adequate disclaimers, may mislead viewers into believing that the storyline reflects factual events. It contends that such portrayals could adversely impact communal harmony and the State’s public image at both national and international levels.
The plea further argues that film titles carry significant influence and that the use of a State’s name in a controversial narrative demands heightened scrutiny.
The petition also makes reference to an ongoing튬 legal tussle involving the filmmakers. It notes that the producers have approached a Division Bench of the High Court challenging a recent interim order issued by a Single Bench that had temporarily stayed the film’s release.
According to the plea, the interim stay was granted at a stage when the film was allegedly yet to be uploaded or publicly screened. The petitioners have sought clarity on the procedural aspects surrounding the release and certification process.
The role of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has also been highlighted in the petition. The plea urges the court to examine whether adequate safeguards were considered before certification.
In addition to seeking the removal of the word “Kerala” from the title, the petitioners have requested that the film, if permitted to be screened, must carry a clear and prominent disclaimer stating that the story is entirely fictional.
They have urged the court to direct the Central Government and the CBFC to ensure that audiences are not led to interpret the narrative as factual. The petition argues that disclaimers are essential in cases where sensitive socio-political issues are depicted.
The PIL goes a step further by calling for comprehensive regulatory reforms. Specifically, it seeks directions to the Centre and the CBFC to frame detailed guidelines governing film titles, taglines and promotional material. According to the petitioners, such norms should prevent any cinematic work from allegedly denigrating or maligning a State, region, caste or religion through its branding.
The matter adds another dimension to the ongoing debate over creative freedom and censorship in Indian cinema. While filmmakers often invoke artistic liberty and freedom of expression, critics argue that sensitive subjects require responsiblescaled portrayal to avoid inflaming social tensions.
Legal experts note that courts in the past have balanced the right to free expression with the need to maintain public order and communal harmony. The outcome of this PIL could have implications for how film titles referencing specific states or communities are evaluated in the future.
The petition is expected to come up for consideration before the Kerala High Court in the coming days. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is likely to reignite discussions on the intersection of cinema, free speech and social responsibility.
For now, the focus remains on whether the court will intervene in the film’s title and mandate additional safeguards such as disclaimers, or allow the matter to proceed under existing certification norms.
