The makers are returning with ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ almost three years after the original ‘The Kerala Story’. It’s making headlines again, with people questioning if the facts match the tagline “inspired by many true events.” In a recent media interaction, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap called it “propaganda” and said it’s just a greedy way for them to make money.
Anurag Kashyap at Kochi airport
Recently, Anurag Kashyap landed in Kochi. A reporter at the airport quizzed him on the controversy around the film produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. Kashyap responded bluntly and honestly: “The Kerala Story is bullsh*t propaganda.”
Anurag Kashyap on ‘The Kerala Story 2’
Commenting on the viral beef scene from ‘The Kerala Story 2’ trailer, Kashyap added, “Aisa beef kaun khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai (Who feeds someone beef like this? No one is fed even khichdi in this manner).” He further said, “They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money.”
Kerala high court notice on ‘The Kerala Story 2’
Last week, the Kerala High Court served notice to the producers of ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ regarding a writ petition that challenges the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court did so while hearing the plea, which objects to the teaser and trailer.
Petition details on ‘The Kerala Story 2’
The petitioner has argued that the film’s promos portray women from different states trapped in relationships and pushed into religious conversion. Even though the story touches several states, its title pins terrorism, forced conversions, and population plots only on Kerala. A key issue is the teaser’s final Hindi line—“Ab sahenge nahin… ladenge (We will not tolerate it anymore… we will fight)”—seen as urging revenge and risking riots between communities. The CBFC is accused of ignoring Cinematograph Act Section 5B(1952), which blocks certification for content harming public peace, morals, or decency, or encouraging crimes. The case also points to the 2023 Supreme Court row over the first ‘The Kerala Story’, where makers added a note admitting some numbers weren’t verified and the tale was made-up.According to the petitioner, the sequel got CBFC approval too easily, skipping checks on how it might hurt community peace or state pride, even after past court cases. They want the certification revoked, the title and warnings reviewed, and the release stopped for more study.
Vipul Amrutlal Shah on ‘The Kerala Story 2’ title
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah also clarified the reasoning for the film’s title, even though it’s not a direct follow-up to ‘The Kerala Story’. He told ANI, “Kerala Story 2 goes beyond Kerala and exposes the massive conspiracy of manipulative conversion going on throughout India. Because its central theme is the same as Kerala Story 1, we named it Kerala Story 2. Till now, there has been no threat to this film. When you are telling the truth, perhaps you are not in that much danger because people feel that if we threaten a person who tells the truth, there could be backlash.”
Anurag Kashyap on the work front
On his professional front, Kashyap is prepping for his highly anticipated film ‘Kennedy’, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, slated for its India release with a premiere on ZEE5.
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