In 2023, Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s The Kerala Story became one of the most polarizing, debated, and commercially successful films in Indian cinematic history. Grossing over ₹300 crore worldwide on a meager ₹20 crore budget, it proved that controversial, politically charged narratives are a massive box office draw.
Now, exactly three years later, the makers are back. Set to hit theaters nationwide on February 27, 2026, the sequel is officially titled “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond.” However, even before its release, the film has found itself at the center of a national storm. With high-profile filmmakers calling it “propaganda,” politicians warning against its “communal agenda,” and the Kerala High Court stepping in, here is the complete, fact-checked breakdown of everything you need to know about The Kerala Story 2.
1. The Plot & The New Cast: Moving Beyond Kerala
As the title suggests, Goes Beyond expands its geographical scope. While the first film strictly focused on Kerala, the sequel tracks the lives of three young Hindu women across three different Indian states: Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
- The Narrative: The storyline continues to explore themes of deceptive relationships, alleged forced religious conversions (often termed “Love Jihad”), and societal pressures. According to producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film aims to showcase that this is an “all-India situation,” not just an isolated regional issue.
- The Cast: The original cast, including Adah Sharma and Yogita Bihani, has been completely replaced. The sequel introduces popular television faces making their major theatrical debuts: Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in the lead roles.
- The Director: National Award-winning director Sudipto Sen has stepped down for the sequel. The directorial reins have been handed over to Kamakhya Narayan Singh.
2. The Explosive Trailer & The “Beef” Scene
The official trailer, released last week, immediately set the internet on fire. It is designed to be provocative, opening with a chilling warning: “In the next 25 years, the entire India will become an Islamic nation.”
- The Shock Value: The trailer features highly intense, dramatic sequences of emotional confrontation and religious coercion. The film’s tagline, “Ab sahenge nahin… ladenge” (We will not tolerate anymore… we will fight), sets an aggressive tone.
- The Viral “Beef” Scene: One specific scene in the trailer has sparked a massive outcry. It depicts a young woman, wearing a tilak and a burqa, being physically restrained as beef is forcefully shoved into her mouth. This scene has become the focal point of online mockery and severe criticism for its hyperbolic execution.
3. Industry Backlash: Anurag Kashyap Slams the Film
The pushback against the Kerala Story 2 has been swift and severe from within the Hindi film industry. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his unfiltered opinions, heavily criticized the film after landing at the Kochi airport this weekend.
Kashyap bluntly stated, “It’s a b****t propaganda movie. The movie tries to divide people and spread hatred. The maker is greedy… He just wants to make money.” Mocking the viral force-feeding scene, Kashyap added a line that immediately trended on X (formerly Twitter): “Aisa beef kaun khilata hai? Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai” (Who feeds someone beef like this? No one even feeds khichdi in this manner).
Reporter: What's your view on The Kerala Story 2?
— Nehr_who? (@Nher_who) February 22, 2026
Anurag Kashyap: It a bullshit propaganda movie, the movie tries to divide people and spread hatred,the maker is a greedy bootlicker.
He goes on saying "Aise to log Khichdi bhi nahi khilate jaisa movie mein Beef khila rahe hai"😂 pic.twitter.com/c6TlxSBbJL
4. Political Outrage and the Kerala CM’s Response
The political arena is equally heated. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a strong condemnation of the film, labeling it a direct threat to the state’s secular fabric.
Taking to social media, Vijayan wrote, “Having already seen through the communal agenda and blatant lies of the first part, Kerala will once again reject this attempt to demonise our secular fabric with contempt… We must stand united against these attempts to paint our land of harmony as a hub of terror.”
5. Legal Troubles: The High Court Notice
The controversy isn’t just restricted to social media debates; it has reached the judiciary.
- The Petition: A writ petition was filed challenging the film’s certification. The petitioner argued that the film intentionally aims to incite communal disharmony and wrongly pins a national narrative of terrorism and forced conversions specifically onto the state of Kerala.
- The Court’s Action: Last week, the Kerala High Court issued official notices to the producers (Vipul Amrutlal Shah) and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
- The Certification: Despite the ongoing legal battle, the film successfully secured a U/A certificate from the CBFC, clearing it for its scheduled theatrical release.
The Verdict: Truth or Targeted Propaganda?
Vipul Amrutlal Shah defends his project fiercely, claiming, “When you’re telling the truth, you’re not in that much danger.” He insists the film is backed by data from the Indian legal system. On the other hand, critics argue it is a calculated attempt to monetize communal fault lines ahead of upcoming elections.
Whether it is a necessary, hard-hitting social drama or a sensationalized piece of political propaganda, The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is guaranteed to dominate the cultural conversation when it hits theaters this Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the release date for The Kerala Story 2? The film is scheduled to be released in cinemas across India on February 27, 2026.
2. Is Adah Sharma in The Kerala Story 2? No, the sequel features an entirely new cast. The lead roles are played by Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha.
3. Who directed The Kerala Story 2? The sequel is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, replacing Sudipto Sen, who directed the first installment. The film is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
4. Why is Anurag Kashyap criticizing the film? Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap called the movie “propaganda,” accusing the producers of deliberately trying to divide people and spread hatred merely to make money. He specifically mocked a trailer scene depicting a woman being force-fed beef.
5. What is the plot of ‘Goes Beyond’? Unlike the first film, which was restricted to Kerala, the sequel follows the lives of three Hindu women from Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It explores their experiences with deceptive relationships and forced religious conversions.
6. Has the Kerala Story 2 been banned? As of February 22, 2026, the movie has not been banned. It has received a U/A certificate from the CBFC, though the Kerala High Court has issued notices regarding a petition challenging this certification.
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