The Kerala Story 2 Has a Strong Start Despite Court Delay
The Kerala Story 2 got off to a promising start on Friday, raking in around Rs. 75 lakh nett — not bad at all considering the hurdles it faced. The Kerala High Court had initially stayed the release on Thursday, but the order was lifted midday Friday. Because of the last-minute clearance, the film only began screening from 6 PM onwards, with some shows starting even later. Effectively, Friday functioned more like a paid preview than a full opening day.
How It Compares to the Original
The original The Kerala Story was a blockbuster in 2023, opening at Rs. 6 crore nett and eventually grossing around Rs. 230 crore nett. While widely regarded as a propaganda film, it drew significant audience attention, especially in the Hindi-speaking belt, with some trade insiders joking that it played almost like an educational film in parts of the country.
It’s uncertain whether the sequel can replicate that success. Similar films have seen a drop in popularity since the 2022–2023 peak — for instance, The Bengal File didn’t match the original Kerala Files. However, early signs are promising: the trailer for The Kerala Story 2 carried a strong, impactful tone, suggesting potential for audience interest. Even if the sequel collects only half or less of what the first film did, it would still be considered a solid result.
What to Watch Next
Friday’s limited opening indicates there is definite interest in the film. Today and over the weekend will give a clearer picture of its box office trajectory. The film has an open run until Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic hit theaters on March 19, giving it a window to build momentum. If it resonates with its target audience, The Kerala Story 2 could enjoy a healthy run and continue performing steadily at the box office.