Kerala Story 2: Tickets on sale even as Court hits pause

The Kerala High Court was informed on Friday that ticket bookings for ‘The Kerala Story 2-Goes Beyond’ continued despite a 15-day stay on the film’s release. Petitioners Sreedev Namboodiri and Freddy Francis told a single bench of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas that tickets were being sold even though the matter was pending before a division bench.

Advocate Maitreyi Sachidananda Hegde, appearing for petitioner Sreedev Namboodiri, told PTI in the afternoon that she would not pursue contempt proceedings against the film’s producer, as the movie had not been released and ticket bookings were being refunded.

Also Read: Big setback for The Kerala Story 2: Kerala High Court stays release, questions CBFC clearance


Earlier she had informed Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas that ticket sales were continuing despite a stay on the film’s release. She raised the issue before the single judge while a division bench, which had conducted a late-night hearing on Thursday, had reserved its order on the release.

Hegde also said she would confirm whether the film was screened during the day and decide on filing a contempt plea accordingly. Later, after verification, she stated that the film had not been released and that ticket amounts were being returned, adding that she would not move a contempt petition.

Justice Thomas on Thursday stayed release of the film for 15 days saying that prima facie there was a manifest non-application of mind to the requirement of law by the censor board, CBFC.



The judge also said that "the possibility of communal disharmony or denigration of a community also being prima facie involved in the movie", its release without scrutiny by the higher authorities would be legally improper.

While the producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, appealed to the division bench, no interim order was issued, leaving the possibility of the film being screened in theatres. Petitioners said they may file a contempt plea if the screening proceeds.

The division bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan has reserved its judgment after hearing all parties.