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.
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.
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 — like its predecessor — presents a "distorted and damaging" portrayal of Kerala.
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."
Early data suggests the public may be taking a "wait and see" approach.
At the PVR Lulu Mall, Thiruvananthapuram, fewer than 70 bookings were recorded by mid-morning across four scheduled screenings.
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.
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.
"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."
The film’s 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.
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.
Also read: Kerala HC allows release of ‘Kerala Story 2’, stays earlier order
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