The Kerala Story was promoted with a purported lie that 32,000 women in Kerala were converted to Islam and sent to Syria. A big number it was indeed, enough for fact checkers to verify the claims and social media to get infuriated. It did not take the director, Sudipto Sen, to quickly add in a press conference that the number was arbitrary, but the fact was correct.
Sen does not return as the director for the second part of the film. Instead, Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who has earlier directed documentary short films and also won a National Award, takes charge. While that would lead one to hope for some nuance in the storytelling, the trailer proved otherwise, leaving the audience divided.
_The Kerala Story 2_ courting controversy with trailer release
The trailer, this time as well, makes a very bold claim – that in 25 years, India will turn into an Islamic State. Yes, that’s enough to establish a they vs us narrative, making it clear that xenophobia is expected. The hum and woh war continues, and it is shown that every person from a certain community is the same, even though one might feel they are liberal and can be atheists. The trailer also claims that there’s just one agenda all men from the community have- marry women from the majority community and forcefully convert them.
The main bone (no puns intended) of contention seems to be the forced beef-feeding scene from the trailer. One of the female leads is being shown being fed beef forcefully by her in-laws (looks like it). She is held tightly by her husband, who also holds her nose so that she is forced to breathe through her mouth, and then she is force-fed beef. The stress on the word beef during dialogue delivery also needs to be noted.
Watch the trailer of the film here:
But what’s the issue with The Kerala Story 2?
Well, to begin with, the divisive politics of the film are highly problematic. Just like the first part, the film makes exaggerated claims to draw in sympathy and ire from a particular community, while making another one the target. When a film, on a national platform, does this, it stands at the risk of creating massive disharmony among communities.
Kerala CM says film ‘aimed at inciting communal discord’
With the title, it is understandable that while three states are being spoken about, it is Kerala that is getting the most prominence. The state is one of the few in the nation that loves its beef, and it also has a considerable Muslim population.
Right after the release of the trailer, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan publicly criticised the film, calling it “fabricated narratives aimed at inciting communal discord.” His post on X read, “The reports regarding the release of a sequel to the hate-mongering film The Kerala Story should be seen with utmost gravity. Having already seen through the communal agenda and blatant lies of the first part, Kerala will once again reject this attempt to demonise our secular fabric with contempt. It is shocking how fabricated narratives aimed at inciting communal discord receive a free pass, while critical expressions of art get gagged. We must stand united against these attempts to paint our land of harmony as a hub of terror. The truth shall always prevail.”
The reports regarding the release of a sequel to the hate-mongering film ‘The Kerala Story’ should be seen with utmost gravity. Having already seen through the communal agenda and blatant lies of the first part, Kerala will once again reject this attempt to demonise our secular…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) February 19, 2026
In an earlier statement, he had said, “The release of a second part of The Kerala Story, which was made with the agenda of spreading hatred against Kerala and insulting our secular traditions, should be seen seriously.”
“Those who fear Kerala’s model of brotherhood and secularism are the forces behind these continued hate campaigns. Sangh Parivar had circulated this ludicrous and false narrative of The Kerala Story. They spread misleading propaganda by portraying even mutually agreed-upon marriages as forced religious conversion. They view Kerala with hostility because it is a land without communal riots, where people belonging to different religions coexist with mutual respect and cooperation. These forces, which try to shatter the peace and harmony of our land, are the true enemies of our state,” he added.
MP Shashi Tharoor also slammed the film.
Petition filed against The Kerala Story 2
A petition has also been filed in the Kerala High Court by a person named Sreedev Namboodiri.
The petition by the biologist challenged the release of the film and prompted the Kerala High Court to issue notices to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the film’s producer. The hearing on the case is scheduled for February 24.
This directly challenges the CBFC’s certification of the film, which has been given a U/A certificate, making it appropriate for viewing for anyone above 14 years of age. The director shared the news, writing, “We have received cuts and got the certificate. It’s a U/A certificate, and I am thankful to the board that they gave this rating so that young sisters and daughters can go to the cinema halls and watch the film. The youngsters and the parents should go and watch the film.”
This also raises concern that young minds, who are yet to develop a full understanding of politics and community, and who are highly impressionable, might be left divided if they watch the film.
Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj condemn film
Anurag Kashyap, while interacting with media at Kochi airport, condemned the film and said, “Kerala Story movie is s***. The movie is propaganda and bull****. Aise kaun beef khilata hai?Aise toh koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai (Who even feeds beef like that? You wouldn’t even serve khichdi that way). The purpose of the film is to make money. They just want to please everybody and divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money.”
Reporter: What’s your view on The Kerala Story 2?
Anurag Kashyap: It a bullshit propaganda movie, the movie tries to divide people and spread hatred,the maker is a greedy bootlicker.
He goes on saying “Aise to log Khichdi bhi nahi khilate jaisa movie mein Beef khila rahe hai”😂 pic.twitter.com/c6TlxSBbJL
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) February 22, 2026
Prakash Raj also took a dig at the film. On Sunday,the actor posted images of pork, beef, and fish dishes on his X account. He wrote, “The real #KeralaStory is how pork, beef and fish coexist with vegetarian sadya and all of them live in harmony. Please relish #justasking happy Sunday everyone.”
The real #KeralaStory is how pork, beef and fish coexist with vegetarian sadya and all of them live in harmony. Please relish 😍😍😍 #justasking happy Sunday everyone ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ea2JCPd6n6
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) February 22, 2026
Kerala Story 2 director hits back
Kamakhya Narayan singh hit back at Kashyap. He said, “Anurag Kashyap ji ne kaha hai ki koi aisa kisiko khichdi bhi nahi khilata. Main maanta hoon — koi kisiko aise laddoo bhi nahi khila sakta. Par durbhagyavash, humare samaaj mein masoom betiyon ko unka dharam parivartan karne ke liye unko beef khilaya ja raha hai — yeh ek crime hai,” adding, “Problem yeh hai ki Anurag Kashyap ji ab maansik roop se durbal hogaye hai.”
Singh further alleged that Kashyap has a problem with everything. “Unko Brahmanon se dikkat hai, unko Netflix se dikkat hai, unko film industry se dikkat hai. Is aadmi ko har cheez se dikkat hai,” he said.
Sharing the video on social media, he wrote in Hindi, “The issue isn’t what was shown in the film—khichdi, beef, or something else. The real question is consent and coercion. Even khichdi can’t be served against someone’s will, so if a film raises the issue of forced change or pressure, calling it hate-mongering is intellectual dishonesty. Your lies are creative freedom, and our truths are propaganda! Debates should be based on facts and data—not on shutting down discussions by labeling them ‘bullshit’ or ‘bootlicker’.”
Where does the film stand now
The Kerala Story 2 is scheduled for release on 27th February. With the court hearing scheduled for Feb 24, the release might be pushed back depending on the verdict and how far the petitioner is willing to take the issue.
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