The Kerala Story 2: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding The Kerala Story 2 in India even before its official release, I had the opportunity to watch the film during a special screening at Cinepolis cinema in Jaipur. Perhaps it is human instinct that draws us closer to what is being debated the most. When a film becomes the centre of controversy, curiosity naturally follows. With that same mindset—and still carrying the haunting memories of The Kerala Story—I went in to watch the sequel.
The first installment had already sent shivers down my spine. The emotional intensity of its storytelling lingered long after the credits rolled. That experience, more than the controversy, compelled me to watch The Kerala Story 2.
A Story That Leaves You in Tears
This time, the film’s emotional core lies heavily on the anguish of parents. I found myself literally in tears watching three sets of parents who, despite giving their daughters the best education, love, and freedom, feel helpless and defeated when their daughters choose to walk away from their families to pursue relationships against their wishes.
The storyline revolves around three Hindu women from different parts of India who fall in love with Muslim men, defying their families’ concerns. The narrative then traces what the film portrays as their gradual distancing from their traditions, growing isolation, emotional manipulation, and eventual disillusionment.
One particular scene that leaves viewers stunned is where a Hindu woman is allegedly forced to eat beef—an act loaded with deep religious and cultural sensitivities in India. The moment is crafted to provoke strong emotional reactions and underline the perceived cultural rupture experienced by the character.
Between Reality and Narrative
Supporters of the film argue that it reflects documented cases and raises uncomfortable but necessary questions. Critics, however, contend that it risks inflaming communal sentiments and presenting a one-sided narrative. The legal and political controversy surrounding the film only adds another layer to its public perception.
Yet, when you sit in the theatre and watch the story unfold, the dominant emotion is not politics—it is pain. The pain of parents who feel abandoned. The pain of daughters who find themselves alone, disconnected from their families and communities. The film suggests that in the pursuit of love and independence, the protagonists end up sacrificing education, career, happiness, and familial bonds.
A Portrait of Family and Faith
The film also attempts to present what it describes as the openness and liberal values within Hindu families—showing parents who educate their daughters, support their ambitions, and, in one case, even adopt their daughter’s child despite knowing his father’s intentions of luring Hindu women and marrying them to create more babies, aimimg at increasing population of his community.
The narrative further references cases where alleged conversion networks were exposed, positioning these incidents as a broader societal concern. Whether one agrees with this portrayal or questions its framing, the film undeniably seeks to provoke thought and conversation.
Final Verdict
Despite the ongoing legal and ideological debates, The Kerala Story 2 is a film that pierces the heart. It is emotionally charged, unapologetically provocative, and designed to raise uncomfortable questions about love, faith, family, and freedom of choice.
Whether you watch it to understand the controversy or to form your own opinion, this is a film that demands a reaction. It may divide audiences, but it will not leave them indifferent. A caring parent will definitely return with a heavy heart from movie theatre, vowing to give the best to his daughter, best in terms of values, teachings and religious teachings too so she knows difference between right and wrong and doesnt get swayed away with the tag word ‘secular’.
Rating: 3.5/5
For its emotional impact, performances, and its ability to ignite conversation—even if not everyone agrees with its perspective