The Kerala Story 2 Tickets Sold Online Despite HC Stay, Fans Left Confused
The much-anticipated sequel The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, was set to hit cinemas on February 27, 2026. However, the Kerala High Court issued an interim stay on its release on February 26, a day before its premiere, after petitions challenged the Central Board of Film Certification’s (CBFC) decision to grant a U/A certificate. The court questioned whether proper legal guidelines were applied, especially concerning content that might affect communal harmony.
The High Court’s order directed that the film should not be shown until the certification and related issues are resolved, effectively delaying its theatrical debut for at least 15 days. The court also asked for a re-examination of the film’s certification and pointed to potential risks of social disharmony from its subject matter, which involves sensitive themes related to forced relationships and conversions. Producers are appealing the stay and a division bench hearing has been held, with the bench reserving its verdict.
Despite the judicial stay, the situation on ticket-booking platforms and in cinemas remains muddled. As of Friday morning, several online services, including major platforms like BookMyShow, continued to show The Kerala Story 2 on their listings for multiple theatres, especially in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. In Mumbai alone, some cinema chains such as Maxus Cinemas were still selling tickets in about 21 theatres, according to online availability data. Other chains or multiplex brands such as PVR and INOX reportedly removed the film from their show schedules following the court order.
The mixed signals from ticketing platforms and cinema chains left many viewers confused. Some users questioned how tickets could be available if the release was legally stayed. One cinema operator reportedly posted that the film would play as scheduled, while others acknowledged the stay and noted cancellations of morning shows. These conflicting messages only added to public uncertainty about the film’s actual release status.
On social media, audiences expressed bewilderment and frustration, asking whether cinemas were out of sync with legal requirements or whether the listings had not yet been updated. Many online comments referenced the court’s stay and questioned why ticket sales continued, while others speculated that any bookings made might simply be cancelled and refunded once the situation was clarified.
The producers of The Kerala Story 2 have not issued a comprehensive public statement since the stay order, and it remains unclear when exactly the film might hit theatres nationwide. Some reports indicate that a final hearing may determine whether the stay holds or is lifted sooner, but until then, the legal ambiguity continues.
This episode highlights how legal intervention can impact film releases at the last minute, especially when content is contested on grounds of social impact and certification processes. It also underscores challenges in synchronising online ticketing systems and theatrical programming with rapid changes in legal status, leaving audiences uncertain about what to expect on release day.
The High Court’s order directed that the film should not be shown until the certification and related issues are resolved, effectively delaying its theatrical debut for at least 15 days. The court also asked for a re-examination of the film’s certification and pointed to potential risks of social disharmony from its subject matter, which involves sensitive themes related to forced relationships and conversions. Producers are appealing the stay and a division bench hearing has been held, with the bench reserving its verdict.
Despite the judicial stay, the situation on ticket-booking platforms and in cinemas remains muddled. As of Friday morning, several online services, including major platforms like BookMyShow, continued to show The Kerala Story 2 on their listings for multiple theatres, especially in cities like Mumbai and Delhi. In Mumbai alone, some cinema chains such as Maxus Cinemas were still selling tickets in about 21 theatres, according to online availability data. Other chains or multiplex brands such as PVR and INOX reportedly removed the film from their show schedules following the court order.
The mixed signals from ticketing platforms and cinema chains left many viewers confused. Some users questioned how tickets could be available if the release was legally stayed. One cinema operator reportedly posted that the film would play as scheduled, while others acknowledged the stay and noted cancellations of morning shows. These conflicting messages only added to public uncertainty about the film’s actual release status.
On social media, audiences expressed bewilderment and frustration, asking whether cinemas were out of sync with legal requirements or whether the listings had not yet been updated. Many online comments referenced the court’s stay and questioned why ticket sales continued, while others speculated that any bookings made might simply be cancelled and refunded once the situation was clarified.
The producers of The Kerala Story 2 have not issued a comprehensive public statement since the stay order, and it remains unclear when exactly the film might hit theatres nationwide. Some reports indicate that a final hearing may determine whether the stay holds or is lifted sooner, but until then, the legal ambiguity continues.
This episode highlights how legal intervention can impact film releases at the last minute, especially when content is contested on grounds of social impact and certification processes. It also underscores challenges in synchronising online ticketing systems and theatrical programming with rapid changes in legal status, leaving audiences uncertain about what to expect on release day.
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