Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Thursday criticised the makers of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, alleging that the sequel — like its predecessor — promotes divisive narratives without factual basis and risks spreading hatred in society.Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Tharoor described the first installment, The Kerala Story, as a “hate-mongering film” that lacked foundation. He disputed the large-scale religious conversion figures cited in the original movie, claiming they were exaggerated.“The first film, Kerala Story, was a hate-mongering film. It lacked any foundation. They were saying that thousands of people were converted, which is not true. I think there were around 30 such cases over a number of years. Ours is a very big country. If a case occurs here and there, it doesn’t mean you should turn it into a big story and use it as propaganda,” Tharoor said.
‘Why spread hatred?’ Tharoor asks
Drawing a contrast with earlier cinema, Tharoor referred to films such as Amar Akbar Anthony, which he said celebrated communal harmony and even received entertainment tax exemptions in their time.“What’s the point of saying things that will only spread hatred in people’s minds and are not even correct? In our childhood, films like Amar Akbar Anthony used to get entertainment tax exemptions,” he said.
Producer Vipul Shah hits back
Responding to the controversy, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah defended the sequel and questioned why films are blamed for disturbing harmony when real-life cases do not trigger similar outrage.“I think it is extremely sad and ironic that such concerns are raised only when a film addresses these issues,” Shah told PTI, citing recent criminal cases involving alleged religious conversions.He argued that if crimes are being investigated and prosecuted, portraying them in cinema should not be seen as a threat to social harmony.“Actual crimes and the individuals accused of committing them do not seem to spark the same level of outrage about social disharmony. Yet a cinematic portrayal of these issues is seen as a threat,” he added.
Legal scrutiny and political backlash
The sequel, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, is slated for release on February 27. The recently released trailer explores themes of religious conversion, with stories set in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala.However, the film has now come under legal scrutiny. A petition challenging the trailer and its portrayal of Kerala has been filed before the High Court. Acting on the plea, the court has issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification, and the film’s producer. The matter is scheduled to be heard on February 24. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticised the project, calling the first film “hate-mongering” and urging that the sequel’s release be viewed with “utmost gravity.”In a post on X, he said, “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.”
