The Kerala Story 2 Stay: Court Halts Release But Tickets Still Live on BookMyShow

The release of the Hindi film The Kerala Story 2 has been thrown into uncertainty after the Kerala High Court on Thursday imposed a 15-day stay on its screening. The decision comes amid controversy over the film’s portrayal of alleged forced religious conversions in the state. The producers have filed an appeal against the stay, and the High Court has agreed to hear it, leaving the film’s immediate release in question.

Despite the legal stay, online ticketing platforms and some cinema chains have listed The Kerala Story 2 shows, creating confusion among viewers. On BookMyShow, tickets for the film were available in Mumbai at almost all Maxus Cinemas, with 21 theatres showing availability. In Delhi, 14 cinemas, including M2K, G3S, and MSX Cinemas, were reportedly still showing the film as releasing on Friday morning.

Several major chains such as PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis have clarified online that no shows are currently scheduled, reflecting mixed compliance with the court order. Smaller chains, like Damodar Cinemas, posted advisories on social media stating that the film is on hold due to legal matters, urging viewers to follow updates before planning to attend screenings.

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Contradicting these advisories, M2K Cinemas announced early Friday morning that the film had released in theatres, leading to further public confusion. Social media users questioned the inconsistencies, asking how tickets were available despite the High Court’s order and whether cinema chains were fully aware of the stay. Viewers expressed frustration over unclear communication from both theatre operators and online ticketing platforms.

The Kerala High Court’s stay highlighted concerns regarding the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) approval process. The court noted a “manifest non-application of mind to the requirements of law” and raised issues that the film could potentially cause communal disharmony or denigrate a community. The court emphasized that releasing the film without proper scrutiny by higher authorities would be legally improper.

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, The Kerala Story 2 stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha. The film’s makers have not issued a public statement regarding the High Court’s stay, leaving audiences and cinema chains uncertain about when the film will officially release.

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