The Kerala Story 2 cleared with U/A 16+ rating; CBFC mandates 16 cuts to violence and intimacy scenes

The Kerala Story 2 hits theatres Feb 27, 2026, with a U/A 16+ rating. After 16 CBFC cuts and major disclaimers, the film faces propaganda claims and legal battles despite its "tool for truth" defence.

The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond poster

The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond will hit theatres on Friday, February 27, setting the stage for a high-stakes weekend for the Indian film industry. The contentious subject matter and numerous legal challenges to the 2023 blockbuster The Kerala Story sequel have had it at the forefront of social media conversation for weeks. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has given the film a U/A 16+ certificate, which permits younger people to watch it with parental assistance, despite its strong themes. This decision has shocked the industry and generated debate.

What were the CBFC’s requirements for certification?

As per a report in Bollywood Hungama, the film had to meet several requirements before receiving the U/A 16+ rating. Prior to delivering the final certificate on February 16, the CBFC demanded a grand total of 16 cuts and adjustments. The board scrutinised scenes depicting physical violence or intimate encounters more closely.

As for the intimate scene, there was a seven-second edit because the graphics of the lip-lock were down 50%. Visuals showing a rape incident were cut in half (20 seconds). There was also a two-second reduction in two separate instances of physical aggression, one involving a slap and the other involving a blow to the head. The board asked for changes to a sequence depicting the bulldozer tearing down the home of an accused individual, a scene that has been used repeatedly and has political connotations in contemporary social narratives in India. The official cut list omits the actual content of the three altered or muted dialogues, but one word was muted.

ALSO READ: The Kerala Story 2 director on film being labelled 'propaganda': 'If we’ve shown anything wrong, I’ll quit filmmaking'

What additions and documentation did the producers provide?

In addition, the makers had to add two minutes and three seconds to the static disclaimer and its accompanying narration. This disclaimer clearly reveals the film's reliance on real-life events. The producers, Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Sunshine Pictures, presented the board with supporting documentation, including the completed script, as well as a consent letter from a minor artist who was involved in the production. The film's total running duration is 131.24 minutes, which is equal to 2 hours, 11 minutes and 24 seconds.

Kamakhya Narayan Singh is directing the sequel with the aim of expanding its scope beyond Kerala's borders. The story supposedly follows three women as they travel through Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and southern India; it stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha. Some prominent politicians in India have taken offence to the trailer, which predicts a change in the country's demographics in the next quarter of a century.

How have government officials and activists reacted?

Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, has slammed the film, calling it "poisonous propaganda" that seeks to undermine secularism in the state. Biologist Sreedev Namboodiri petitioned the Kerala High Court, arguing that the film's title and the possibility that it might "stigmatise" the region were grounds for the notices that were simultaneously sent to the CBFC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

At a news conference in Delhi on February 23, producer Vipul Shah defended the movie and introduced 33 actual victims of purported forced conversions. In his statement, director Singh referred to the film as a "tool for truth" and asked critics to examine court documents before claiming the film was fictional. Industry heavyweights like Anurag Kashyap have criticised the film calling it propaganda, but the makers are unfazed.

When is the release date of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond?

The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond will hit theatres on February 27, 2026.

The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond FAQs:

Q: When is The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond releasing in theatres?

A: The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Q: Who are the lead actors in The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond?

A: The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond features a new primary cast including Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha. The story follows their characters across different Indian states, including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Q: What is the total runtime of The Kerala Story 2?

A: The final certified runtime of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is 131.24 minutes (2 hours, 11 minutes, and 24 seconds). This includes an extended 2-minute and 3-second static disclaimer at the beginning.

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