On February 27, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P V Balakrishnan, stayed a Single Judge’s interim order that had halted the release of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond for 15 days.

The Single Judge had relied on excerpts from the film’s teaser to conclude that the content had the prima facie potential to disturb communal harmony and that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) may not have adequately applied its mind under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. However, the appellate Bench emphasized a critical constitutional principle: once the CBFC, a statutory expert body, has granted certification after viewing the film in its entirety, courts must ordinarily presume due application of mind.

In arriving at this conclusion, the Bench drew heavily from two landmark Supreme Court precedents. First, in Prakash Jha Productions v. Union of India, decided in 2011 in the context of the film Aarakshan, the Supreme Court held that once a film has been certified by the CBFC, States cannot suspend or prohibit its exhibition merely on apprehensions of law and order problems. The Court made it clear that maintaining public order is the responsibility of the State, not a ground to curtail certified expression.

Second, the Bench relied on Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India, the 2018 judgment concerning the film Padmaavat. In that case, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that creative content is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Once certification is granted, there exists a presumption that statutory guidelines, including those relating to public order and communal harmony, have been duly considered. States cannot pre-emptively block exhibition on speculative grounds.

The Kerala High Court noted that the petitioners had not viewed the film in full and were relying solely on teaser clippings. It further observed that the producer had incorporated modifications directed by the CBFC, reinforcing the inference of due scrutiny. Therefore, merely on the basis of selective excerpts, the finding of non-application of mind could not be sustained.

In Viacom18 Media Private Limited and others v. Union of India and others [(2018) 1 SCC 761], the Supreme Court of India stayed state-imposed bans (Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.) on the film Padmaavat upholding freedom of expression. The court ruled that states cannot prohibit a film already certified by the CBFC, as maintaining law and order is a state responsibility, not a ground to curtail film exhibition.

Meanwhile, M/S Prakash Jha Productions & Anr vs Union Of India & Ors (2011) 8 SCC 372 is a landmark Supreme Court case affirming that state governments cannot ban films already certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court held that once cleared, a film’s screening cannot be halted due to hypothetical public unrest, reinforcing freedom of speech.

Also Read: Kerala HC Division Bench lifts stay on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond

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Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has stated that The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond does not target the state of Kerala or its people. His remarks came after the Kerala High Court Division Bench vacated the interim stay on the film’s release on Friday, February 27, clearing the path for its theatrical run.

Addressing the media shortly after the court’s decision, Shah said that the legal hurdle had been removed and screenings had begun. He described the film as a “true” account made after considerable effort and rejected allegations from certain quarters that it promotes propaganda.

“The Kerala High Court Division Bench has withdrawn the stay that we got yesterday. And they have cleared the way for the release of the film. Now our shows have already started opening. So I request the people that this is a true film made with a lot of hard work. And the biggest proof of the truth of our film is that the Kerala court has vacated the stay order. If our film was a lie, then the Kerala court would have seen it and the stay order would not have been vacated,” he said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Kerala High Court Division Bench lifts the stay on the release of the film Kerala Story 2 Kerala Story 2 Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah says, "Neither our film, nor I, nor anyone in my team is against the state of Kerala or the people of Kerala. Kerala is a… pic.twitter.com/caiaeJcktn

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2026

Shah also expressed gratitude to the court on behalf of his team and appealed to audiences in Kerala to approach the film with an open mind. Emphasising that neither he nor his team holds any bias against the state—often referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’—he maintained that the intention behind the project was not to malign Kerala.

With the stay lifted, attention now shifts to the film’s release plans across theatres. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in the lead roles.

An official update on its wider theatrical rollout is awaited.

Also Read: Kerala HC Division Bench lifts stay on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond

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After the romantic genre was revived in 2025 by Saiyaara, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat and Tere Ishk Mein, comic capers are expected to rule the roost in 2026 and 2027. Some exciting films will be released in the next two years like Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Welcome To The Jungle, Dhamaal 4, Bhagam Bhag 2, Hera Pheri 3, Golmaal 5 etc. And now, Bollywood Hungama has exclusively learned that another much-loved title is set to return – Malamaal Weekly 2.

A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Talks have begun for Malamaal Weekly 2. The team, working on the film, has hit upon a great idea that is apt as the second part of the series. It is not a direct sequel. The characters and setting this time would be different, but just like the first part, it’ll be about a group of greedy villagers who go to insane lengths to get hold of a huge amount of money.”

The source continued, “Paresh Rawal has given his nod but is yet to sign the dotted line. Meanwhile, talks are going on with Riteish Deshmukh and Rajpal Yadav.”

Riteish Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav were also part of Malamaal Weekly, which was released 20 years ago in March 2006. The film revolved around the only educated man in a village who discovers that one of the villagers has won a lottery prize of Rs. 1 crore. But the winner has died. What follows is complete chaos as the villagers hatch bizarre schemes to hide the death from the lottery inspector while also keeping the greedy village head in the dark.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the film also starred Reema Sen, Shakti Kapoor, Sudha Chandran and the late Asrani, Rasika Joshi and Innocent.

Also Read: Vicky Kaushal comments ‘Aabasaheb’ on Riteish Deshmukh starrer Raja Shivaji poster; revives Chhaava connection and wins hearts

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Amid reports suggesting that Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 5 would adapt the 1980 classic Do Aur Do Paanch, producer Deepak Mukut has set the record straight. Mukut, who owns the remake rights to the film, confirms that he, and not Shetty who is developing a new version of Do Aur Do Paanch, and intends to take it on floors soon.

“I don’t know where or how the news of someone else doing Do Aur Do Paanch came from. I had to issue a public notice to prevent anyone else from remaking it. I am very serious about doing the film. For nearly ten years, I wanted to remake it with Bobby Deol and Abhishek Bachchan,” says Mukut.

The original film, directed by Rakesh Kumar, featured Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor as two small-time crooks posing as schoolteachers in a plot to kidnap a wealthy businessman’s son. Hema Malini played a genuine teacher at the same school, adding romance and comic tension to the caper.

Interestingly, when Do Aur Do Paanch released in 1980, it turned out to be a rare box-office disappointment in Amitabh Bachchan’s otherwise golden run. The film’s performance was affected by its proximity to Suhaag, directed by Manmohan Desai, which also starred Bachchan and Kapoor and had already become a major success.

Meanwhile, industry buzz suggests that a separate project may pair Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar in the comedy space for the first time. The two actors have collaborated on several action films in the past, beginning with Suhaag, directed by Kuku Kohli (not to be confused with Desai’s earlier film of the same name).

For now, however, Deepak Mukut remains firm: the remake of Do Aur Do Paanch is very much his project and he plans to bring the classic caper back to the big screen on his own terms.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: From 50 screens to 1200 screens – producer Deepak Mukut reveals how STUNNED exhibitors increased Sanam Teri Kasam’s shows due to CRAZY demand from fans

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Actor-entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty has expanded her hospitality portfolio with the launch of Bastian Hospitality’s first beach club in Mumbai. The new property, Bastian Beach Club, was unveiled alongside founder Ranjit Bindra at the iconic Sun-n-Sand in Juhu.

Positioned as the city’s first all-day beachfront destination, the club brings together dining, music, leisure and wellness in one large-format space overlooking the Arabian Sea. With direct sea views and a sprawling pool at its centre, the venue aims to introduce a European-style beach club experience to Mumbai’s social circuit. Design and space Designed by Minal Chopra, the property draws aesthetic cues from coastal destinations such as Ibiza, Mykonos and Saint-Tropez. Open layouts, fluid indoor-outdoor transitions and a neutral coastal palette define the space, while the sea-facing deck and pool area serve as its visual anchor.

 

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During the day, the focus is on relaxed lounging. The club is designed to host brunches, family outings and curated children’s activities, alongside wellness-led mornings. As the evening progresses, the mood shifts to sundowners and live DJ-led sessions, eventually transitioning into a high-energy nightlife setting. The food programme The culinary direction combines popular dishes from Bastian’s existing menu with influences from Inka, offering Asian and Latin-inspired flavours. The small plates section includes dishes such as Veg Dry Corn Ceviche with chipotle and green apple, Like Guacamole with habanero, and Rock Broccolini tossed with curry leaf and chilli. Seafood options feature Hamachi Ceviche paired with sweet potato and tiger milk.

 

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Sushi, bao and dumplings form a key part of the menu, while larger plates include the Tropical Bowl with coconut milk and turmeric-spiced cottage cheese and Kinoko Hikari with wild mushrooms and truffle oil. Non-vegetarian offerings include the 5 Pimientas Chicken Bowl and Arabian Seabass Amazonico.

Desserts range from tiramisu and cheesecake to a hazelnut pull-me-up cake and a citrus-forward lime-lemon creation. Cocktail-led evenings The bar menu has been curated to complement the coastal theme. The Sakura Cloud Martini blends gin, sake and lychee topped with jasmine foam. Tigre Verde pairs vodka with coriander and citrus, while Pacific Breeze combines tequila with lemongrass, ginger and coconut water. The Shogun Mojito introduces shiso and sake into the classic mix.

 

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Bastian Beach Club is located at 39, Sun-n-Sand, Juhu Beach, Mumbai. It operates from Tuesday to Sunday, 4 pm to 1 am. The weekend cover charge is priced at Rs 5,000 per person.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty performs puja for new Bastian outlet in Goa amid Rs 60 crores fraud case

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Actor Aamir Khan has shared a health update on veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, revealing that he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following a recent medical procedure.

Speaking to the media at a recent event, Aamir said he had gone to visit Salim Khan at the hospital but could not meet him directly as he is currently in the ICU. “Main Salim Sahab se milne gaya tha. Hum sab dua kar rahe hain ki woh jaldi se theek ho jaayen because he is in the ICU. I couldn't meet him personally but sat with the family,” he said.

The actor added that he has been receiving regular updates about the writer’s condition from the family. “Jo mujhe Alvira ji bata rahi hai, har roz unki health improve ho rahi hai. Hum sab prarthna kar rahe hain ki woh jaldi ghar aa jaayen aur unki health bhi wapas aa jaaye,” Aamir shared, expressing hope that Salim Khan will soon return home.

Salim Khan was rushed to Lilavati Hospital a few days ago. On February 18, doctors confirmed that a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) procedure had been successfully performed by a neurosurgeon. The attending physician had addressed the media outside the hospital to confirm the development.

Subsequently, reports suggested that the family, including actor Salman Khan, was upset over the public disclosure of detailed medical information and had reportedly requested hospital authorities to refrain from sharing further health updates.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan visits Salim Khan at Lilavati Hospital amid health scare; video of late-night visit goes viral

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Filmmaker Vikas Bahl is set to explore new ground with a full-fledged musical romance drama. The yet-untitled project will star Siddhant Chaturvedi and Alizeh Agnihotri in the lead roles and is being produced by Reliance Entertainment.

According to a report by Variety India, the upcoming film is said to be inspired by the rise of the UK Punjabi underground movement of the 1990s — a period when music became a marker of identity for the post-immigrant generation. Blending traditional Punjabi folk with Western influences, the movement created a distinct cross-cultural sound that resonated widely across communities in the United Kingdom.

Set against this backdrop, Bahl’s film will centre on a love story shaped by ambition, identity and artistic aspiration. Siddhant will reportedly play a drummer, while Alizeh will essay the role of a singer. The narrative is expected to trace their personal and creative journeys during what is often regarded as a defining era for UK Punjabi music.

Bahl, known for films such as Queen, Super 30 and Shaitaan, has completed the script and is preparing to move into pre-production. Shooting is planned for the second half of 2026.

The project will mark Siddhant’s second collaboration with Bahl after their upcoming romantic comedy Dil Ka Darwaza Khol Na Darling, which is slated for release later this year. The actor was recently seen in Do Deewane Seher Mein and is expected to begin work on a biopic based on legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram before starting this musical.

Alizeh made her acting debut with Farrey, the Hindi adaptation of the Thai film Bad Genius. Bahl’s musical will mark her second feature outing.

Also Read: Siddhant Chaturvedi expresses desire to play Yuvraj Singh in biopic: “I’ll keep manifesting it”

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