The Kerala High Court's division bench heard an appeal on Thursday challenging a single judge's order that halted the release of 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' for a period of 15 days. During the evening hearing, Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan remarked that petitions contesting the film's certification appeared to be framed as public interest litigations and questioned the basis on which the single judge accepted the case. This highlights the ongoing debates surrounding film censorship and artistic freedom in India.

The filmmakers quickly filed an appeal within hours of the stay order passed earlier in the day. Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing the producers, stated that the stay order was issued at around 2:30 PM, and immediate relief was sought as the film is scheduled for release on February 27. The request for lifting the ban underscores concerns regarding pirated copies of the film making rounds if it isn't officially released on time, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Additionally, the filing against the film came 16 days after the teaser was released, suggesting that the objections may not have been timely or well-founded. The previous film's reception adds another layer of anticipation for this sequel, pointing to potential controversies that often surround films addressing sensitive societal issues in India. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for both the filmmakers and the broader discourse on freedom of expression in the Indian cinema landscape.