/images/ppid_59c68470-image-178178002842373302.webp)
What is the story about?
The Kerala High Court has sought a response from producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah to a plea seeking the removal of Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond from streaming platform Zee5. The application was filed in connection with an ongoing petition challenging the film, which had been moved before its theatrical release.
Hearing the matter, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan initially questioned whether the plea had become ineffective after the film had already been screened in theatres. Naatukar muzhuvan kandechkazhinj inni OTTill entha? (Everyone has seen the film, what is the problem with its OTT release?) OTT is only to a small portion of people," he was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
The plea argues that the film's continued availability on the OTT platform has helped spread what the petitioner describes as a false narrative about Kerala. The application has been filed by Kochi resident Yohan George, who has been challenging the film since before its theatrical release.
George has also questioned the certification granted to the movie by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and sought the removal of the words‘Kerala’ or ‘Keralam’ from its title.
Earlier this year, George approached the High Court alleging that the film misrepresented Kerala and had the potential to create communal disharmony.
A single-judge bench had initially stayed the film's release on February 26.
The stay was lifted a day later after the filmmakers moved an appeal before a Division Bench, which allowed the movie's theatrical release. The main petition challenging the film remains pending before the court.
In his latest application, George has sought the removal of the film from Zee5, where it has been streaming since May 1. He contends that the OTT release has led to the widespread circulation of clips and excerpts from the film online, often accompanied by claims that the story is based on real events in Kerala.
"It is submitted that numerous capsule versions and excerpts from the film are being widely circulated across social media platforms such as Instagram, X, and Reddit, often accompanied by hashtags such as #JaagoHinduJaago, falsely projecting the film as depicting real events and inciting targeted hostility against the minority community," according to the application.
George also told the court that he had submitted a representation on June 12 to the Content Grievance Redressal Officer of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, requesting the immediate removal of the film from the platform. However, the movie continues to be available for streaming.
Hearing the matter, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan initially questioned whether the plea had become ineffective after the film had already been screened in theatres. Naatukar muzhuvan kandechkazhinj inni OTTill entha? (Everyone has seen the film, what is the problem with its OTT release?) OTT is only to a small portion of people," he was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
The plea argues that the film's continued availability on the OTT platform has helped spread what the petitioner describes as a false narrative about Kerala. The application has been filed by Kochi resident Yohan George, who has been challenging the film since before its theatrical release.
George has also questioned the certification granted to the movie by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and sought the removal of the words‘Kerala’ or ‘Keralam’ from its title.
Earlier this year, George approached the High Court alleging that the film misrepresented Kerala and had the potential to create communal disharmony.
The stay was lifted a day later after the filmmakers moved an appeal before a Division Bench, which allowed the movie's theatrical release. The main petition challenging the film remains pending before the court.
In his latest application, George has sought the removal of the film from Zee5, where it has been streaming since May 1. He contends that the OTT release has led to the widespread circulation of clips and excerpts from the film online, often accompanied by claims that the story is based on real events in Kerala.
"It is submitted that numerous capsule versions and excerpts from the film are being widely circulated across social media platforms such as Instagram, X, and Reddit, often accompanied by hashtags such as #JaagoHinduJaago, falsely projecting the film as depicting real events and inciting targeted hostility against the minority community," according to the application.
George also told the court that he had submitted a representation on June 12 to the Content Grievance Redressal Officer of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, requesting the immediate removal of the film from the platform. However, the movie continues to be available for streaming.
