‘The Kerala Story 2’ screening in Vasai triggers video of crowd taking anti-Muslim oath

A viral video claimed to show people in a cinema hall in Vasai in Palghar district taking a collective pledge to socially and economically boycott Muslims after watching The Kerala Story 2 has sparked widespread controversy and political reaction, even as police say they have not yet verified the authenticity or the location of the footage.

The short clip circulating widely on social media appears to show a gathering inside what supporters say was a theatre after a screening of the controversial film, with a speaker leading the audience in what is described as an oath . In the footage, individuals are seen repeating lines that translate to pledges to avoid social and economic interaction with Muslims, including promises not to buy from, sell to, employ, or otherwise engage with members of the Muslim community. These pledges, as shared online, explicitly urge a boycott of Muslims in everyday life; however, the exact spoken words have not been verified by independent fact‑checkers.

Congress Rajya Sabha member Syed Naseer Hussain shared the video on X, claiming the recording was made in a cinema hall in Vasai on March 10 following a free screening of The Kerala Story 2 . He alleged that participants took a collective oath calling for the economic and social boycott of Muslims after viewing the film, and he criticised what he described as the “continued encouragement of propaganda‑driven narratives ” that target minorities and deepen communal polarisation. Hussain said such calls run counter to India’s constitutional values of secularism, equality and fraternity and must be rejected to preserve the plural and inclusive character of the Republic.

A senior officer of the Mira‑Bhayandar Vasai‑Virar (MBVV) Police Commissionerate told PTI on Tuesday that authorities are investigating the video’s origin and are not sure where it was shot. “We are not sure where it was shot and believe it could be mischief by some unscrupulous elements,” the official said, adding that police have not confirmed that the incident took place in Vasai or inside a cinema hall as claimed.

The video sparked strong reactions online and in political circles, with some users calling the alleged boycott pledge impractical and harmful, noting India’s economic ties with Muslim-majority countries and the community’s cultural and academic contributions. Others debated the influence of films and public messaging on communal attitudes. Since the original release in 2023 and the sequel in February, The Kerala Story films have been highly controversial. Supporters argue they reveal uncomfortable truths, including alleged forced conversions and “love jihad,” while critics contend they exaggerate, promote divisive narratives, and risk stoking communal tensions. The Kerala High Court recently observed that The Kerala Story 2 portrays the state in a communal light and warned that claiming it is based on true events could provoke tensions, prompting producers to reconsider promotional material. The controversy has reignited discussions on the social impact of politically charged cinema and communal discourse in India.