A press conference was held in the capital, Delhi, on Monday regarding the film “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond.” Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Kamakhya Narayan Singh addressed the media, discussing both the film’s subject and the controversy surrounding the alleged real-life events behind it.
33 Victims Present: At the press conference, producer Vipul Shah introduced more than 30 people whom he described as actual victims of forced conversion. According to Shah, these victims came from various parts of the country, including Bengal, Bihar, Bhilwara, Gangapur, Rajkot, Mayur, Mumbai, Bhopal, Jharkhand, and several districts in Delhi-NCR. They shared their personal, harrowing stories before the media. Several women, including Jharkhand’s national shooter Tara Shahdev, came on stage to share their stories. Tara recounted how a man deceived her with the promise of marriage. When the truth came out, she faced the police and faced numerous legal battles. Her words made it clear that she felt helpless, deceived, and alone. What did producer Vipul Shah say? Vipul Shah said that ever since the first film, “The Kerala Story,” was released, people have constantly claimed that love jihad and forced conversions don’t happen in India. Shah emphasized that this is the purpose of his next film. He said, “We brought these victims with us so that they could share their pain with the world in their own words.” Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh’s statement: Director Kamakhya Narayan Singh explained that there are women in need who felt helpless. He further stated that the film is based on similar experiences that women in India still face today. “The Kerala Story 2” has already been embroiled in controversy even before its release. A scene in the trailer, in which a woman is forcibly fed beef, sparked controversy. Director Anurag Kashyap called the film propaganda and said that it promotes division in society. Additionally, a petition has been filed in court challenging the decision of the film’s review and censor board, with people questioning the film’s promotional content. Many believe the film’s narrative could fuel misunderstandings between different communities in society. The press conference held in Delhi has once again brought The Kerala Story 2 to the center of national debate. While the film’s producers describe it as a project that highlights social issues through real-life stories of victims, opponents call it bigoted, communal propaganda, and divisive. The controversy continues, and the film is set to release on February 27, 2026.
