Following its release in May 2023, The Kerala Story sparked widespread controversy. Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Shah, the film faced criticism for alleged divisive narratives and unsubstantiated claims.
The film claimed to be based on true events. It depicted women in Kerala allegedly being converted to Islam and later forced to join ISIS. These claims triggered political and social backlash across the country.
In a recent media interview, Sudipto Sen explained why he chose not to direct the sequel. He said he had spent ten years researching the original film. According to him, that level of groundwork could not be repeated for the sequel.
Sudipto stated that expanding the story beyond Kerala required verified data. He said he could not depend on WhatsApp forwards or newspaper reports. He added that sensitive subjects demand strong factual responsibility.
The trailer of Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond was released recently. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on February 27, 2026. It is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh and produced by Vipul Shah.
The sequel has already drawn heavy criticism and political attention. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the film false propaganda against the state. A biologist later filed a petition in the Kerala High Court opposing its release.
Social media users revisited claims from the original film. It had stated that over 32,000 women were converted and recruited into ISIS. A Kerala police official later said the actual number since 2016 was only 10 to 15 women.
Despite defending the original film with a decade of research, Sudipto Sen appeared to distance himself from the sequel. He referred to its narrative as being based on WhatsApp forwards. This led to criticism, with many pointing out similar issues in the first film.
Sudipto Sen is now preparing for his next project, Charak. The film is set for release on May 6, 2026. It is based on the ancient Charak festival that dates back to the time of Lord Buddha.
Charak was originally a Buddhist festival and later became associated with Hindu traditions. It is mainly celebrated in Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The festival takes place during Chaitra, from mid March to mid April.
