KOCHI: The Kerala High Court declined on Friday to order a delay in the release of the movie "The Kerala Story."

The High Court today asked petitioners how the movie, which it noted is fiction and not history, would generate sectarianism and conflict in the community, asserting that secular Kerala society will accept the film for what it is. The court wanted to know if the entire caravan violated social norms.

"Nothing will occur simply because the movie is shown. In November, the movie's teaser was revealed. What in the movie was offensive? What's wrong with declaring Allah to be the sole God? The nation grants its citizens the freedom to practise and disseminate their religion. While reviewing a number of requests to revoke the movie's censorship certificate, the court asked, "What was offensive in the trailer?

"So many films about these organisations have already been released. Christian priests and Hindu monks have both been disparaged in previous movies. Did you notice that all of this is fiction? What is currently so unique? The judge questioned, "How does this movie promote sectarianism and discord in the community?

The petitioners claimed that the movie would poison innocent viewers' minds.

The petitioners claimed that no organisation has yet discovered that "Love Jihad" exists in Kerala.

The issue was discussed by a division bench made up of Justices N Nagaresh and Mohammed Nias CP.

The movie, directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has caused a significant political controversy, with numerous leaders responding to the planned film.

Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, and Sonia Balani play the key characters in "The Kerala Story." Sen's movie "The Kerala Story" received criticism for its trailer, which said that 32,000 state residents went missing before joining ISIS.

After receiving criticism, the film's creators removed the figure and changed the description of the trailer to read, "The story of three women from Kerala." 

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