The Kerala Story 2 Opens to ₹3.5 Crore Amid Legal Battle and Mixed Response

The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond began its theatrical run on February 27, 2026, earning an estimated ₹3.5 crore on its opening day despite a delayed start caused by legal proceedings in the Kerala High Court.

The film’s release was briefly halted after a single-judge bench imposed a 15-day interim stay and directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to review objections raised by petitioners. The producers filed an appeal, and a division bench comprising Justices S A Dharmadhikari and P V Balakrishnan later lifted the stay following a special hearing, clearing the way for its release.

Although morning shows were affected by the court order, screenings resumed later the same day.

According to early estimates cited by trade trackers, the sequel recorded an overall Hindi occupancy of 11.99% on Friday. In Kerala, initial ticket sales were modest. At PVR Lulu Mall in Thiruvananthapuram, 68 tickets were reportedly sold by 10 am for four scheduled shows. Theatre owners in Kochi and Kozhikode described bookings as slow but expected momentum to build over the weekend.

Trade projections had placed the Day 1 business between ₹3 crore and ₹3.5 crore, with optimistic estimates suggesting it could approach ₹4 crore depending on word of mouth. By comparison, the first installment, The Kerala Story, opened at ₹8.10 crore net in 2023 and eventually grossed over ₹300 crore worldwide.

Court Proceedings and Certification Review

Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah addressed the media following the High Court’s order. He stated that the film had undergone review by an expanded eight-member CBFC committee rather than the standard five-member panel. According to Shah, the committee included two social workers from Kerala and a socio-political expert from Delhi.

“Generally, a film’s censor screening involves a five-member committee. However, for this film, there were eight members… to ensure there was no misrepresentation related to the state,” Shah said.

The film received a U/A 16+ certificate on February 16, 2026. Shah maintained that the division bench found no shortcomings in the certification process.

He further clarified that the film does not portray Kerala or its people negatively. “Neither our film, nor me, my crew members are against the state of Kerala… Once you watch the film, you will see that we have not said anything negative about Kerala or the people of Kerala,” he said, adding that the title “Goes Beyond” reflects that the story extends to multiple states.

Storyline and Cast

Directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the sequel follows three Hindu women from Kerala, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh whose lives take dramatic turns after entering interfaith relationships. The film features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in leading roles, alongside Sumit Gahlawat, Arjan Singh, and Yuktam Khosla. Music for the film has been composed by Mannan Shaah.

The film’s trailer and promotional material generated debate ahead of release, echoing the controversies that surrounded its 2023 predecessor.

Critical Reception and Public Response

Early reviews have described the film as polarising, with critics commenting on its thematic approach and narrative style. The sequel revisits themes of religious conversion and interfaith relationships, subjects that previously sparked legal challenges and public debate.

Producer Vipul Shah reiterated that the film targets what he described as criminal elements rather than any specific community or state. “We are exposing a few criminals… We are not trying to defame Kerala,” he said during a press interaction.

The film released during the holy month of Ramzan, adding to the sensitivity surrounding its subject matter.

Box Office Outlook

While the sequel’s opening numbers are lower than the first film’s debut, exhibitors in Kerala indicated that evening and night shows saw stronger bookings than morning screenings. Theatre owners suggested that audience response over the weekend would determine the number of shows in the coming days.

With controversy once again forming part of the backdrop, industry observers note that the first installment experienced gradual growth after release. Whether the sequel follows a similar trajectory remains to be seen in the days ahead.