Director Sudipto Sen has addressed recent media speculation regarding a potential sequel to his 2023 film, The Kerala Story. Reports had suggested that the follow-up would focus on the findings of the Hema Committee report, which investigates the exploitation and harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. Sen, however, has firmly denied these claims.
In a statement, Sen expressed confusion over the origin of these rumors. “I don’t know where this information surfaced from, it is not true. After seeing the reports, Vipul [Shah, producer] and I laughed. There will be a sequel to the film and the scripting is underway, but it has nothing to do with the Hema Committee report,” Sen clarified, putting an end to the swirling speculations.
While dismissing the connection to the Hema Committee, Sen confirmed that a sequel to The Kerala Story is indeed in development. The original film, which sparked significant controversy for its portrayal of religious conversions and the radicalization of women in Kerala, has fueled anticipation about a possible continuation. However, Sen was clear that the sequel will take a different direction.
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An insider close to the production shed some light on the direction of the new project. According to the source, The Kerala Story 2 will focus on the radicalisation within Kerala society, particularly in the northern parts of the state. The narrative will explore the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Kerala and how the region has become a center for ISIS recruitment and other anti-national movements. “It will have nothing to do with Indian politics or religion,” the source added, emphasizing that the film will instead offer a broader perspective on societal issues in the state.
Regarding the cast, the sequel will introduce a new ensemble of actors. Production is expected to commence early next year, with the release slated for the latter half of 2025.
While the premise of The Kerala Story 2 promises to delve into a sensitive and complex subject, it is clear that the sequel will diverge from earlier reports, focusing on Kerala’s societal issues rather than the film industry’s internal challenges.
