‘No Beef With Anyone’: Kerala Tourism’s Sharp Reply to The Kerala Story 2

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Tourism Department has issued a clear indirect response to the controversy surrounding the film The Kerala Story 2 by sharing a social media poster carrying the headline, “NO BEEF WITH ANYONE.”

The poster was released amid criticism over scenes in the film’s trailer that many viewers said misrepresented Kerala and attempted to create a divisive image of the state. Through the message, the tourism department underlined Kerala’s identity as a place that values harmony, coexistence and inclusiveness.

Shared with the caption, “Love, unity and an inclusive spirit. Welcome to God’s Own Country,” the poster reflects Kerala’s tradition of hospitality and secular values. The message has been widely discussed on social media, with many users describing it as a strong and simple response to narratives seen as targeting the state’s social fabric.

The controversy began after the trailer of The Kerala Story 2 included scenes that appeared to suggest beef is forcefully served in Kerala. The portrayal drew strong criticism, with many accusing the film of spreading misinformation and promoting a communal narrative against the state.

Against this background, the tourism department’s use of the phrase “No Beef With Anyone,” an English expression meaning the absence of hostility, is being viewed as a pointed reply. Social media reactions describe the campaign as a reaffirmation of Kerala’s secular character and a rejection of attempts to spread hatred.