Protests disrupt The Kerala Story 2 screenings in parts of Kerala

The Kerala Story 2 ran into fresh trouble in Kerala on Saturday, after screenings were cancelled in several districts amid protests over the film’s content, which deals with alleged cases of forced religious conversions.

The film, which opened in cinemas following the lifting of a stay by the Kerala High Court, faced strong opposition from activist groups, leading to disruptions and cancellations in cities including Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram, as per ANI.

The controversy dates back to the release of the film’s trailer, which drew criticism from sections of society who argued that the narrative could fuel communal tension in the state. On February 27, the High Court set aside an earlier interim order that had temporarily halted the film’s screening, clearing the way for its theatrical release.

However, protests



continued despite the court’s decision. Members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged demonstrations outside theatres in Kannur, where screenings were disrupted. At Thrissur Fun Movies theatre, protesters reportedly poured charcoal on posters and set them on fire in full public view, triggering tense scenes and forcing the theatre management to issue refunds to ticket-holders.

The protests form part of a wider campaign against the film, which claims to trace the stories of three young women who “fall into deceptive marriages and face alleged forced religious conversions.” Following the unrest and low turnout, several theatres chose to cancel further shows.

Similar cancellations were reported at Cinepolis in Mall of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, where scheduled screenings were also halted due to protests and security concerns.