The Kerala High Court was very clear on Monday about the upcoming movie “The Kerala Story 2,” saying that Kerala is a state that lives in total harmony and warning against any depiction that could threaten this communal harmony.
During the hearing of petitions against the release of the movie, the court asked that any cinematic depiction that could misrepresent the social fabric of Kerala should be taken seriously.
The Court’s Main Message
The court made it clear that the state of Kerala has a long history of living in total harmony and that any depiction that could threaten this communal harmony should be avoided.
The court said, “Kerala lives in total harmony. Any depiction that suggests otherwise would be problematic.”
The Origin of the Dispute
The dispute is over the upcoming movie “The Kerala Story 2,” which is the sequel to the movie “The Kerala Story,” which had sparked a nationwide debate over its depiction of religion and radicalization.
The first movie had faced legal challenges in various courts before its release. Now, similar concerns are being raised about the sequel to the movie.
Freedom of Expression vs Public Order
The High Court has reminded us that the filmmakers do have the constitutional right to freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a), but this right is not absolute. This right is circumscribed by reasonable restrictions to preserve public order and harmony.
The court has asked for clarity on two issues: whether the film has the mandatory certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and whether the disclaimers are adequate to address the concerns raised by the petitioners.
Next Steps
The next steps in the case will be taken after the submissions by the filmmakers and the state government. At this point, the court has not stayed the release of the film, but it has made it clear that it will examine the content of the film carefully before it will allow the release of the film.
This case, like many others, has brought to the fore the delicate balance between freedom of expression and sensitivity in storytelling in the Indian film industry.
