Muted opening for The Kerala Story 2 despite court clearance

Despite the storm over its release, The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, the sequel to the controversial film of the same name, has opened to tepid response in theatres across the State, judging by the muted advance bookings on its first full day of screening on Saturday (February 28, 2026).

Though a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court stayed a single judge’s order halting the release on Friday (February 27, 2026), the film could initially be screened only in a handful of theatres with limited evening shows. Wider release followed on Saturday (February 28, 2026).

“On Friday (February 27), the film was perhaps shown in only three or four theatres, and that too late in the evening after the High Court verdict. It is now running in around 80 theatres. Yet the response is underwhelming, not commensurate with the controversy surrounding its release,” said K. Vijayakumar, president of the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala.

The High Court had on Thursday (February 26) passed an interim order staying the release for a fortnight, observing that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) appeared prima facie to have overlooked its guidelines. The court directed the CBFC to re-examine the matter following petitions challenging the censor certificate and alleging misrepresentation of Kerala in the teaser and trailer.

Within hours, the producers filed a writ appeal before a Division Bench, which reserved its order for Friday (February 28). Eventually, the court permitted screening if the CBFC certified that the alleged controversial portions flagged in the teaser and trailer did not figure in the film.

“The advance booking does not reflect the hype generated by the controversy. In fact, controversy no longer brings spectators to theatres unless the content is strong,” said Suresh Shenoy, managing director of the Shenoys Group of theatres. He, however, recalled that The Kerala Story 1 had sustained a fortnight-long run in Kerala largely on word-of-mouth publicity.

The trailer of The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond, widely criticised as propagandist and accused of portraying Kerala in poor light, had triggered a storm of resistance online, with Malayali social media handles leading the pushback through biting memes.