Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 20 -- A plea has been filed before the Kerala high court seeking a stay on the release of the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2, alleging that its content could incite communal tensions and disturb law and order in the state, with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying the movie's release should be viewed as "utmost gravity". The petition contends that the trailer contains objectionable material capable of provoking violence among sections of the public. The film is slated for release on February 27. A bench of justice Bechu Kurian Thomas issued notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and Sunshine Pictures, directing them to file their responses. The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 24. According to the petitioner, the teaser ends with the message "ab sahenge nahin. ladenge" (we will not tolerate it anymore, we will fight), which allegedly amounts to a call for action that could incite violence. Though the teaser features women from different states, the plea argues that the title and narrative attempt to portray Kerala as a hub of terrorism and forced conversions. The petition seeks quashing of the film's certification. In a post on X, Vijayan alleged that the first instalment carried a communal agenda and spread "blatant lies," asserting that Kerala would once again reject attempts to "demonise our secular fabric." BJP leader Sobha Surendran, however, defended freedom of expression, stating that a film's title cannot be questioned. The first film, The Kerala Story, won awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards. The sequel, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, recently released its teaser....