The scheduled screening of 'The Kerala Story 2' in Kannur on Saturday was cancelled following protests by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). Activists tore and burned the film’s posters outside theatres, leading to clashes and prompting organisers to refund ticket holders.

The demonstration, led by DYFI Thissur District Committee Secretary K S Russal Raj, began at Thrissur’s Fun Movies theatre, where protesters poured charcoal on posters in a symbolic act. The protest was part of a broader campaign against the film, which depicts the lives of three young women who, according to the story, are lured into deceptive marriages and allegedly face forced religious conversions.

Due to the protest, screenings were abandoned because of low audience turnout, and theatre management confirmed no live showings would take place, issuing refunds instead. Similar cancellations occurred at Cinepolis, Mall of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, where rescheduled screenings were also halted amid demonstrations.

The Kerala High Court had lifted an earlier 15-day stay on the film’s release on Friday. The stay, initially imposed by Single Bench Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, was revoked by a Division Bench of Justices S.A. Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan, who also directed the CBFC to re-evaluate the film over allegations of content promoting hate. Since the release of the sequel’s trailer, the film has sparked strong reactions, with social media users calling it “propaganda,” while the filmmakers insist it is based on researched real-life events. Earlier reports suggested the teaser was removed following court intervention, which the makers have denied.