Confusion reigned for moviegoers today, Friday, February 27, 2026, as tickets for the controversial film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond remained available on major booking platforms like BookMyShow and District, despite an interim stay on its release by the Kerala High Court.
While several major chains like PVR-INOX and Cinepolis pulled the film from their listings in compliance with the court order, smaller chains and independent theaters in cities like Mumbai and Delhi continued to show active bookings as of 9:00 AM IST.
The Legal Roadblock
- The Stay: On Thursday, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas of the Kerala HC stayed the film’s release for 15 days. The court noted that the film prima facie showed a “manifest non-application of mind” by the Censor Board (CBFC) regarding guidelines on communal harmony.
- The “Beef” Controversy: The court specifically pointed to scenes in the trailer, including a depiction of a Hindu woman being forcibly fed beef, noting they had the “potential to distort public perception and disturb communal harmony.”
- Urgent Appeal: Producers Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh moved a Division Bench late Thursday night (7:30 PM). They argued that a 15-day stay would “financially finish” them, as the film was slated for 1,500 screens.
- Verdict Reserved: The Division Bench (Justices S.A. Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan) heard arguments for two hours and has reserved its verdict, which is expected later today, February 27.
The Ticketing Chaos
The disconnect between the court order and theater operations has left fans baffled:
- Bookings Active: In Mumbai, nearly 21 theaters (predominantly Maxus Cinemas) were still selling tickets on Friday morning. In Delhi, theaters like M2K and G3S remained listed.
- Contempt Warning: Petitioners have reportedly approached the Kerala HC seeking contempt action against the producers, alleging that tickets are being sold indirectly to bypass the stay.
- Theater Response: Some chains like Damodar Cinemas issued advisories stating the film is “on hold,” while others like M2K mistakenly posted on social media that the film had released, only to be met with confused queries from users.
About the Film: ‘The Kerala Story 2’
The sequel expands its narrative beyond Kerala, focusing on three women from Kerala, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh who are allegedly lured into forced religious conversions.
- Cast: Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, Aishwarya Ojha.
- Tagline: “Is baar sahenge nahi, ladenge” (This time we won’t endure, we will fight).