The second installment of The Kerala Story 2 faced political criticism from Shashi Tharoor and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, with continued controversy ahead of its February 27 release.
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday criticised the makers of “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond”, alleging that the sequel, like the original film, promotes divisive narratives without factual basis and will only spread hatred in society.
Speaking on the controversy, Tharoor described the first installment, The Kerala Story, as a “hate-mongering film” that lacked foundation. He disputed claims made in the original movie about large-scale religious conversions, saying the numbers cited were exaggerated.
“The first film, Kerala Story, was a hate-mongering film. It lacked any foundation. They were saying that thousands of people were converted, which is not true. I think there were around 30 such cases over a number of years. Ours is a very big country. If a case occurs here and there, it doesn’t mean you should turn it into a big story and use it as propaganda,” Tharoor said while speaking to reporters in New Delhi.
Drawing a contrast with earlier cinema, he referred to films such as Amar Akbar Anthony, which he said celebrated harmony and even received entertainment tax exemptions in their time.
“What’s the point of saying things that will only spread hatred in people’s minds and are not even correct?… In our childhood, films like Amar Akbar Anthony used to get entertainment tax exemptions,” he said.
The sequel, The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, is slated for release on February 27. Its recently released trailer explored themes of religious conversion, with stories set in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.
The makers, in a statement accompanying promotional material, said the film addresses targeted radicalisation and declared, “They targeted our daughters. They broke their trust. They stole their futures. This time, we do not stay silent. The story goes beyond. Is bar sahenge nahi… ladenge (sic)”.
Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the first installment of the movie won Best Direction and Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards.
The sequel has now sparked legal scrutiny. A petition challenging the trailer and its portrayal of Kerala has been filed before the High Court. Acting on the plea, the court has issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, and the film’s producer. The matter is scheduled to be heard on February 24.
