Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, 19 February 2026, suffered a meltdown with regard to the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, urging that the sequel be viewed with “utmost gravity” and alleging that it attempts to malign the State’s secular image.
The reaction came days after filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah unveiled the trailer of the sequel on 17 February 2026. Like its predecessor, the film has already sparked political and public debate ahead of its scheduled theatrical release on February 27.
Taking to X, Vijayan wrote, “The reports regarding the release of a sequel to the hate-mongering film The Kerala Story should be seen with utmost gravity. 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.”
He further stated, “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.”
The reports regarding the release of a sequel to the hate-mongering film ‘The Kerala Story’ should be seen with utmost gravity. 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…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) February 19, 2026
Achuthanandan’s Past Warning
The controversy has also revived references to remarks made years ago by former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan regarding alleged “Love Jihad” activities.
In a past statement, Achuthanandan had said: “First, they started under the name NDF, they gave training, money, and weapons to young people, using them to kill those opposed or hostile to them. Or else, they do things like this: cutting off hands, cutting off legs, these are their activities.”
He had further warned, “In 20 years, Kerala will become a Muslim majority state; by influencing all young people, by giving money, converting them to Islam, marrying Muslim girls so Muslim children are born, and in this way, a move is being made with the intention of creating a majority for the Muslim community.”
If CM Pinarayi considers any discussion about forced conversions or Love Jihad in Kerala to be a propaganda, how does he explain the statements of his own predecessor, Comrade V.S. Achuthanandan (Former CM of Kerala).
He explicitly raised alarms about Love Jihad activities years… https://t.co/fOPj8AaVGu pic.twitter.com/AGrMhIt5lr
— Anoop Antony Joseph (@AnoopKaippalli) February 19, 2026
Kerala Story 2
The original The Kerala Story (2023) had generated nationwide controversy over its depiction of alleged forced religious conversions and recruitment of women by the Islamic State. Despite the backlash, the film later won two honours at the 71st National Film Awards, best director for Sudipto Sen and best cinematography for Prasantanu Mohapatra.
The sequel’s trailer presents three parallel narratives involving Hindu women who allegedly face coercion and religious conversion after relationships with Muslim men. One storyline unfolds in Rajasthan involving a POCSO complaint by the parents of a minor girl; another is set in Madhya Pradesh involving alleged deception in marriage; and the third takes place in Kerala involving a live-in relationship that escalates into conflict over conversion.
Promoting the trailer, the makers stated, “They targeted our daughters. They broke their trust. They stole their futures. This time, we do not stay silent. The story goes beyond. Is baar sahenge nahi… ladenge.”
Starring Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha, the film is produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and co-produced by Aashin A. Shah under the Sunshine Pictures banner.
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is scheduled to release in theatres on 27 February 2026.
Source: NDTV
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