The makers are returning with ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ almost three years after the original ‘The Kerala Story’. It’s making headlines again, with people questioning if the facts match the tagline “inspired by many true events.” In a recent media interaction, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap called it “propaganda” and said it’s just a greedy way for them to make money.

Anurag Kashyap at Kochi airport

Recently, Anurag Kashyap landed in Kochi. A reporter at the airport quizzed him on the controversy around the film produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. Kashyap responded bluntly and honestly: “The Kerala Story is bullsh*t propaganda.”

Anurag Kashyap on ‘The Kerala Story 2’

Commenting on a viral scene from ‘The Kerala Story 2’ trailer, Kashyap added, “Aisa koi khichdi bhi nahi khilata hai (No one is fed even khichdi in this manner).” He further said, “They just want to make money and please everybody; divide people. The filmmaker is a greedy man. He just wants to make money.”

Kerala high court notice on ‘The Kerala Story 2’

Last week, the Kerala High Court served notice to the producers of ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ regarding a writ petition that challenges the film’s certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court did so while hearing the plea, which objects to the teaser and trailer.

Petition details on ‘The Kerala Story 2’

The petitioner has argued that the film’s promos portray women from different states trapped in relationships and pushed into religious conversion. Even though the story touches several states, its title pins terrorism, forced conversions, and population plots only on Kerala. A key issue is the teaser’s final Hindi line—“Ab sahenge nahin… ladenge (We will not tolerate it anymore… we will fight)”—seen as urging revenge and risking riots between communities. The CBFC is accused of ignoring Cinematograph Act Section 5B(1952), which blocks certification for content harming public peace, morals, or decency, or encouraging crimes. The case also points to the 2023 Supreme Court row over the first ‘The Kerala Story’, where makers added a note admitting some numbers weren’t verified and the tale was made-up.According to the petitioner, the sequel got CBFC approval too easily, skipping checks on how it might hurt community peace or state pride, even after past court cases. They want the certification revoked, the title and warnings reviewed, and the release stopped for more study.

Vipul Amrutlal Shah on ‘The Kerala Story 2’ title

Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah also clarified the reasoning for the film’s title, even though it’s not a direct follow-up to ‘The Kerala Story’. He told ANI, “Kerala Story 2 goes beyond Kerala and exposes the massive conspiracy of manipulative conversion going on throughout India. Because its central theme is the same as Kerala Story 1, we named it Kerala Story 2. Till now, there has been no threat to this film. When you are telling the truth, perhaps you are not in that much danger because people feel that if we threaten a person who tells the truth, there could be backlash.”

Anurag Kashyap on the work front

On his professional front, Kashyap is prepping for his highly anticipated film ‘Kennedy’, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone, slated for its India release with a premiere on ZEE5.

In what was billed as a blockbuster rematch of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, India’s aura of invincibility was shattered as South Africa handed the defending champions a staggering 76-run defeat in their Super 8 opener at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. The loss snapped India’s remarkable 12-match winning streak in T20 World Cups and marked their biggest-ever defeat in the tournament’s history, surpassing the 49-run loss to Australia in 2010. Chasing a target of 188, the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs, raising serious questions about the team’s preparation and approach.

Three primary reasons behind India’s big defeat against South Africa

1. Catastrophic top-order failure exposes batting frailties

India’s much-vaunted batting lineup, which had scraped through the group stage against weaker opponents, collapsed spectacularly against quality bowling on a black-soil surface where the ball was gripping . The problems began in the very first over when captain Aiden Markram removed the in-form Ishan Kishan for a four-ball duck with a delivery that stopped on him, forcing an ugly cross-batted hoick.

Tilak Varma’s wretched tournament continued as he lasted just two balls, charging at Marco Jansen and paying the price while also wasting a DRS review. Abhishek Sharma finally ended his hat-trick of ducks but looked completely out of sorts before falling to Jansen for 15. At 26 for 3 inside the powerplay, the chase was effectively dead.

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles on difficult surfaces continued as he managed just 18 off 22 balls before flicking one straight to mid-wicket, unable to get the ball off the square on a tricky track. The top-order’s inability to build partnerships left India reeling at 51 for 5 by the 10th over, with the required run rate climbing beyond reach. Suryakumar admitted after the match: “You can’t win the game in the powerplay, but you might lose the game in the powerplay. We lost too many wickets in the powerplay and then we couldn’t have small partnerships.”

2. Debatable selection call: Axar Patel’s omission backfires 

Perhaps the most criticized aspect of India’s defeat was the decision to leave out vice-captain Axar Patel in favour of Washington Sundar. The move, based on “match-ups” against left-handers as explained by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, backfired catastrophically as Sundar contributed neither with bat nor ball.

Ten Doeschate explained the tactical rationale: “We were kind of looking at matchups more in the middle. And then obviously, someone has to give way… we felt we needed Rinku, as an eighth batsman, so to speak.” However, the decision looked even more puzzling when Sundar was sent in at No. 5 after the initial collapse – a role that Axar has played effectively for India.

The move drew sharp criticism from experts and fans. Sundar’s lack of recent match practice and his inability to make an impact proved costly as India’s middle-order fragility was fully exposed.

3. Loss of intensity after early breakthroughs allows South Africa recovery

Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliance – his 3 for 15 made him India’s highest wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history – the team failed to capitalize on a sensational start that reduced South Africa to 20 for 3 inside four overs.

Instead of piling on pressure, the intensity in India’s bowling visibly dropped, allowing David Miller and Dewald Brevis to stitch a match-turning 97-run partnership off just 51 balls . Miller’s 63 off 35 and Brevis’ 45 off 29 completely shifted momentum, with the duo expertly assessing the conditions and rebuilding the innings.

Also READ: Fans react as South Africa crush India in Super 8 clash at T20 World Cup 2026

South Africa captain Aiden Markram later highlighted this partnership as decisive: “I think first and foremost was that partnership. The guys were great, put that together for us, steadied the ship and kept us in the game. I thought our batting through the middle was probably the difference.” 

Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, so effective in the group stage, was taken for 47 runs in his four overs as South African batters neutralized him with aplomb. What should have been a total under 160 became a daunting 188, and India’s overconfident approach after the early breakthroughs proved costly.

With the Net Run Rate plummeting to -3.800, India now faces must-win battles against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

Also READ: India vs …? Rahul Dravid reveals dream final for T20 World Cup 2026

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Monday arrested Jitendra Yadav from Gwalior in connection with the Youth Congress protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit.This is the fifth arrest made by Delhi Police in connection with the incident.Earlier, police had detained another Youth Congress protester while tracing the remaining protesters.According to Delhi Police, officials recovered T-shirts and posters used in the Indian Youth Congress protest at the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam from the car of Indian Youth Congress leader Krishna Hari.On Saturday, a Patiala court sent four accused — Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav — to five-day police custody under provisions including BNS Sections 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), offences carrying punishment exceeding three years.While hearing the matter, the court described the ‘shirtless’ protest as a “blatant assault on public order” that endangered India’s diplomatic image.“Such conduct palpably transcends the ambit of legitimate dissent, metamorphosing into a blatant assault on public order. It imperils not merely the event’s sanctity but also the Republic’s diplomatic image before foreign stakeholders, rendering it wholly unprotected by constitutional safeguards,” the magistrate said.‘Gandi aur nangi rajneeti’Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the chorus of criticism against the Congress party over its “shirtless” protest, accusing the grand old party of turning a global event into an arena for its “gandi aur nangi” politics.In his address after flagging off the Namo Bharat train, the Prime Minister said, “Congress turned a global event into an arena for its ‘gandi aur nangi’ (dirty and shameless) politics.”Further intensifying his attack on the largest opposition party, he added, “I ask Congress leaders — the nation already knows your true form. What was the need to strip further?”Following the incident, the Congress faced widespread backlash, including criticism from some of its allies and other opposition leaders, who termed the act “inappropriate,” in addition to sharp reactions from the ruling BJP.One of Congress’s key allies, Akhilesh Yadav, also denounced the protest, saying, “They should have refrained from doing something that brings shame to our country in front of foreign delegates and world representatives.”Youth Congress’s topless protestOn Friday, a group of Youth Congress activists staged a high‑profile protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue. The accused displayed T-shirts featuring images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, alongside slogans against the government and the India-US trade deal, and were involved in a scuffle with security personnel.The protest took place on the final day of the five‑day summit, which has drawn global leaders and technology experts to discuss developments and the future of artificial intelligence.

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West Indies players in Mumbai. (AP Photo)

MUMBAI: “The team is in a good space,” a confident West Indies coach Daren Sammy said on the eve of their Super Eights Group 1 match against Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sammy was in a happy mood on Sunday afternoon as his players trained in the nets for close to two-and-a-half hours. West Indies topped their group by winning all four matches, with different players contributing at key moments.

The Men-in-Maroon may have found the going tough in Tests and ODIs, but their calling is T20 cricket as their players are some of the hottest properties across major franchise leagues all over the world. They have won the T20 World Cup in 2012 and 2016. But their form has dipped in the last two editions as they have managed to win only two matches in 2022 and 2024. Their build-up to the World Cup also included series defeats to New Zealand, Nepal,Afghanistan and South Africa.Back in India, where West Indies won their last title in 2016 with Sammy as captain, the team is in a happy space as their players are familiar with the conditions due to most of them playing in the IPL. The Windies have also shown the needed mental toughness to secure wins in a format where there is little to separate teams. The two-time champs have been content with the underdogs tag and have progressed smoothly through a tricky group in which every team has won at least one match.Their secret sauce has been different players putting in match-winning performances during the group stage. Shimron Hetmyer (64, 36b) and Romario Shepherd (5/20) helped them beat Scotland. Shepherd, who missed the last two games due to injury, was available for the Zimbabwe match. Sherfane Rutherford (76*, 42b) and a collective bowling effort led by Gudakesh Motie (3/33) helped them defeat England. Jason Holder (4/27) and Shai Hope (61*, 44b) starred in a win over Nepal, before Hope (74, 46b) and Shamar Joseph (4/30) helped them beat Italy.

Zimbabwe also enter the Super Eights in strong form after topping their group, including wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. They missed qualification for the last edition but have arrived in India with confidence. Zimbabwe, along with the showing of the emerging nations, have been the flavour of the tournament with the neutrals warming up to their exploits. Led by inspirational captain Sikandar Raza, they have found matchwinners like the young Brian Bennett, who is yet to be dismissed in the tournament and played crucial innings in the wins over Australia and Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe’s bowling has been a key strength too, with Blessing Muzarabani leading with nine wickets so far, supported by Graeme Cremer and Brad Evans.West Indies and Zimbabwe last played against each other in the 2022 edition in Australia, with West Indies winning by 31 runs. Zimbabwe’s challenge though will be adapting quickly to conditions at the Wankhede, which has offered assistance to the bowlers.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that Americans could receive a $2,000 payment funded through tariff revenues and the move might not even require congressional approval. Addressing reporters, Trump said strong tariff collections had created sufficient room to consider direct payments to Americans while also helping to reduce the national debt. Responding to whether the move will require Congress’s approval, he said “I don’t think we would have to go to Congress, but, you know, we’ll find out.”He added, “The reason we’re even talking about it is that we have so much money coming in from tariffs that we’ll be able to issue at least a $2,000 dividend and also pay down debt for the country.”“But we do a $2,000 dividend to the people of our country and would probably set an income limit where it makes sense, but we will be able to make a very substantial dividend to the people of our country. I believe we can do that without Congress.”These remarks come after the US Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to Trump’s tariff framework. In the case Learning Resources, Inc. vs Trump, the court ruled 6-3 that the US president does not have authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs. The decision invalidated tariffs introduced under that law, including the administration’s “Liberation Day” measures, and complicated the proposed $2,000 “tariff dividend”, according to Forbes.Financial implications from the ruling could be substantial. Economists at the Penn-Wharton Budget Model estimate more than $175 billion in tariff collections are now facing potential refunds, according to Reuters.The court’s verdict was widely viewed as a sharp rebuke of Trump’s aggressive trade policy. Writing for the majority, chief justice John Roberts said the tariffs in question exceeded the scope permitted under federal law.Following the ruling, Trump moved to adjust his approach, increasing the global tariff rate to 10 and then 15% eventually. After criticising the six justices who ruled against him, Trump posted on Truth Social that the tariff would be raised “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level” under Section 122 of the Trade Act, which allows the president to impose duties to address “large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits.”Trump had first floated the idea of a tariff-funded rebate last year, promising a $2,000 payment to Americans next year as households grapple with elevated living costs. However, questions remain over the programme’s affordability.

A caller who claimed to be John Barron from Virginia as he spoke to CSPAN after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s tariffs is going viral because the Internet is impressed by the near-perfect impersonation of President Donald Trump. Trump in the 1980s and ’90s used the alias John Barron to plant stories with journalists and the Internet had a good time listening to this ‘John Barron’ all incensed against the Supreme Court ruling. Soon after the Supreme Court’s decision, CSPAN opened its phone lines inviting callers to voice their opinion about the major blow to Trump tariffs. “John in Virginia, Republican, let’s hear from you,” said CSPAN host Greta Brawner before Barron started speaking. And when he started speaking, it was a moment of disbelief as he matched the President’s voice almost perfectly. “This is John Barron,” the caller said. “Look, this is the worst decision you ever have in your life, practically. And Jack’s gonna agree with me, right? But this is a terrible decision. And you have Hakeem Jeffries, who — he’s a dope! And you’ve have Chuck Schumer, who can’t cook a cheeseburger. Of course these people are happy! Of course these are people happy, but true Americans will not be happy. And you have the woman earlier — I assume she’s a woman, she’s a Democrat — but she’s … devastated by this,” John Barron said without missing any of President Trump’s mannerism.“It was probably not Trump, but the fact that we can’t completely rule it out says a lot,” the handle of Republicans against Trump posted. “Next on the line…Don from Queens,” one user quipped. “18% chance the Supreme Court forces John Barron to refund tariffs,” Polymarket chimed in without their latest betting prediction. “This can’t be real,” another wrote. “If that’s true, it’s honestly surreal. A former president allegedly calling into C-SPAN under the old John Barron alias and throwing insults like calling Hakeem Jeffries a dope sounds more like political satire than real life. The fact that John Barron is a well known pseudonym linked to Donald Trump just makes it even more bizarre. American politics never runs out of plot twists,” a user added.