After a tumultuous journey filled with controversy, Vipul Shah’s The Kerala Story 2 has finally premiered in theatres. However, following a recent ruling from the Kerala High Court that allowed its release, ticket sales have been tepid. Adding to the film’s challenges, a scheduled screening in Kannur was abruptly cancelled on Saturday due to protests led by activists from the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
The protest unfolded as DYFI members, guided by Thrissur District Committee Secretary K. S. Russal Raj, marched to the Thrissur Fun Movies theatre, where they symbolically poured charcoal on the film’s posters. The demonstration escalated with the tearing and burning of movie advertisements outside local theatres, resulting in clashes and prompting organizers to issue refunds to ticket holders.
In Thiruvananthapuram, the Cinepolis at Mall of Travancore also cancelled its screening, following similar protests from DYFI against the film’s release.
The Kerala Story 2’s premise, which revolves around three young women reportedly lured into deceptive marriages and facing coerced religious conversions, has garnered significant backlash since its trailer launch. A recent outcry led to the Kerala High Court halting the film’s release for 15 days, only for a division bench of Justices Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and P. V. Balakrishnan to later lift this stay on appeal from Shah.
In a press conference after the court’s decision, Shah, who co-wrote and produced the film under Sunshine Pictures, emphasized the authenticity and effort behind the project. “Neither the film nor I, nor my crew, harbor any animosity toward Kerala, which is a beautiful state. If there are issues at hand, I aim to highlight them. Upon viewing, it will be clear that we’ve portrayed Kerala and its people positively,” Shah stated to the media.
