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).
Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged a protest against the screening of the movie at Shenoy’s theatre in Kochi. They alleged that the movie misrepresented the secular credentials of the State.
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).
‘The Kerala Story 2’: HC stays single judge order halting film release
“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.
