‘Kerala Story 2’ Opens Amid Sparse Crowds, Protests After HC Nod

February 28, 2026

After a major legal tussle over its screening, the controversial Bollywood film ‘The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond’ finally hit theatres on February 27, 2026, but it opened to sparse crowds and protests in several cities. The release followed a decision by a Kerala High Court division bench to lift an interim stay that had temporarily halted its release amid opposition and widespread debate.

The film had been mired in controversy since its certification and promotional campaign, with critics arguing that its narrative a sequel to the earlier contentious The Kerala Story could aggravate communal sentiments and misrepresent communities and regions.

High Court Lifts Stay, Clears Release

Initially, a single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court had imposed an interim stay on the film’s release shortly before its scheduled debut, citing concerns over the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and its “non-application of mind” in granting a certificate. The court noted that prima facie, the film might have potential to impact public perception and communal harmony, prompting legal interventions from petitioners.

However, later a division bench comprising Justices S.A. Dharmadhikari and P.V. Balakrishnan stayed that stay order and allowed the release of the film across India and in multiple overseas centres. The court held that once the CBFC has certified a film, there is a presumption of expert evaluation of relevant guidelines, paving the way for public screening.

With the legal hurdle cleared just hours before release, advance bookings that had opened earlier saw limited traction, according to theatre owners reporting moderate footfall on opening day itself.

Public Reaction: Sparse Crowds and Protests

Despite the legal resolution, many audiences stayed away from the theatres on opening day. Sparse crowd turnout was evident in several multiplexes and cinema halls, with some screens showing only a handful of viewers during morning and afternoon shows. Industry insiders suggested that controversy and boycott calls may have influenced audience choices.

Protests and counter-protests marked the release in some areas, particularly in Kerala and urban centers across the country where civic groups and political activists gathered outside theatres. Demonstrators raised slogans against the film, accusing it of spreading communal bias and misinformation rather than promoting artistic expression.

Individual social media reactions echoed the division while some moviegoers defended artistic freedom, others criticized the promotional material and trailer visuals that had sparked outrage, calling for more responsible storytelling.

Political and Cultural Responses

Amid the uproar, political voices also weighed in. Priyanka Gandhi, a Member of Parliament from Wayanad, urged creators to produce works “which promote peace and harmony,” emphasizing social unity over controversial narratives. Her remarks highlighted the broader debate over freedom of expression versus social responsibility in creative fields.

Meanwhile, the film’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah defended his work, stating the sequel is intended to spotlight “criminal activity” rather than target any specific community, and reaffirmed confidence in the filmmakers’ decision to bring the story to audiences.

Outlook and Industry Impact

The opening of ‘Kerala Story 2’ under protest and with muted audience response could have implications for its box-office performance in the coming weeks. While the film has cleared legal scrutiny to be screened widely, how it performs commercially and socially remains uncertain as debates on content, communal impact and artistic responsibility continue in India’s cultural and political discourse.