Protests and sluggish ticket sales have marked the opening weekend of ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’, just a day after the Kerala High Court cleared the path for its cinematic release.
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While theatre owners across the state reported a quiet start on Saturday, many remain optimistic that interest will mirror the trajectory of the 2023 original, which similarly began with empty seats before gaining momentum.
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The film’s arrival has been met with fierce opposition from the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). Activists staged demonstrations outside several venues, claiming the sequel โ like its predecessor โ presents a “distorted and damaging” portrayal of Kerala.
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Television footage captured chaotic scenes as protesters tore down posters and chanted slogans. DYFI leaders clarified that while they were not targeting cinema-goers or staff directly, they felt compelled to protest against a production they believe “tarnishes the state’s image.”
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Early data suggests the public may be taking a “wait and see” approach.
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At the PVR Lulu Mall, Thiruvananthapuram, fewer than 70 bookings were recorded by mid-morning across four scheduled screenings.
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Suresh, owner of the well-known Shenoy theatre, Kochi, reported a more respectable 50 per cent occupancy, noting that evening shows were proving more popular.
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Vinod Iyer, owner of the Crown Theatre, Kozhikode, described current bookings as “very poor,” attributing the lull to the late opening of ticket windows and a general reliance on early reviews.
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“It was a slow start in 2023 as well,” Suresh told the media, recalling the first film’s release. “Word of mouth eventually drove a very strong collection, and we hope to see that repeated.”
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The filmโs release follows a high-stakes legal battle. On Friday, a division bench of the Kerala High Court stayed a previous order that had suspended screenings for 15 days.
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The Bench emphasised that once the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issues a certificate, there is a “prima facie presumption” that all guidelines regarding public order have been met. Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah successfully argued that the initial ban was legally improper without a full viewing of the content.
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Also read:ย Kerala HC allows release of โKerala Story 2โ, stays earlier order