‘The Kerala Story 2’, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, hit theatres on February 28. Days later, on March 3, the Madras High Court restrained internet service providers and cable television operators from illegally broadcasting the film. According to Bar And Bench, Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy issued the interim order while hearing two applications filed by the film’s producer, Sunshine Pictures Limited, which had expressed concerns over potential copyright infringement around the time of release. The court recorded that the producer had submitted the CBFC certificate as proof of copyright ownership, with the document identifying it as the producer.Highlighting the urgency of such matters, the court observed that immediate preventive action was necessary to avoid irreparable damage. It stated, “In matters of this nature, it is likely that irreversible injury will occur unless unlawful broadcast is prevented at the threshold. At the same time, it is possible that the legitimate business interest of one or more respondents may be affected, in view of the expansive nature of the relief claimed. Therefore, it is necessary that the plaintiff shall indemnify in respect thereof.”The court subsequently granted an ad interim injunction until March 23. The order read, “Subject to this condition, orders of ad interim injunction as prayed for are granted in these two applications until 23.03.2026. Issue notice to the respondents returnable on 23.03.2026. Private notice is also permitted. The applicant shall comply with Order XXXIX Rule 3 of CPC.”The film, backed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, revolves around three young women who, according to the narrative, enter deceptive marriages and are subjected to forced religious conversions. Even before its theatrical debut, the project encountered legal challenges. The Kerala High Court had initially stayed its release on Thursday, leading to the film being withdrawn from theatres just hours before its scheduled opening. However, a division bench later lifted the stay, clearing the way for its release on Saturday, February 28.Despite securing a theatrical run, the film has drawn criticism from several political leaders in Kerala, some of whom have described it as propaganda.
