The Kerala Story, directed by filmmaker Sudipto Sen, has achieved a significant milestone at the domestic box office, amassing a staggering ₹16 crore on its third day of release. This remarkable growth of 42.60% on Sunday showcases the film’s strong appeal to the audience. Since its debut on May 5, The Kerala Story has garnered a total of over ₹35 crore, solidifying its position as a box office success. However, the film’s initial trailer faced criticism for making false claims about the disappearance of 32,000 girls from Kerala who allegedly joined the terrorist organization ISIS. Subsequently, the film’s team retracted this misleading information and clarified that it revolves around the lives of three women from Kerala.
Positive Response and Twitter Buzz:
The Kerala Story has been hailed as an unstoppable and unshakable force by film analyst Taran Adarsh, who took to Twitter to share a captivating movie poster. The film’s exceptional performance on day 2 and 3 has propelled it to the status of a smash hit. Despite tough competition from Hollywood film “GotGVol3” and the ongoing IPL2023, The Kerala Story managed to rake in ₹8.03 crore on Friday, ₹11.22 crore on Saturday, and a staggering ₹16 crore on Sunday. With a cumulative total of ₹35.25 crore, the film has captivated the Indian audience and continues to generate tremendous interest. The remarkable growth percentages of 39.73% on Saturday and 42.60% on Sunday highlight the extraordinary trending and establish high expectations for its performance on Monday.
Legal Battles and Certification:
The Kerala High Court recently rejected a plea to halt the film’s release, stating that the trailer did not contain any offensive content targeting a specific community. The court emphasized that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had thoroughly examined the movie and deemed it suitable for public exhibition. This legal victory allowed The Kerala Story to proceed with its theatrical release, paving the way for its success.
Controversies and Tamil Nadu’s Response: Despite its triumphs, The Kerala Story encountered opposition in Tamil Nadu, where several theaters decided to discontinue screening the film from May 7 onward. M Subramaniam, the President of the Tamil Nadu Theatre and Multiplex Owners Association, confirmed this development, explaining that the few multiplexes owned by pan-India groups, predominantly PVR, had chosen to withdraw the film. Local multiplexes had already made the decision not to showcase the film due to the absence of popular stars and its underwhelming performance in the limited screenings. Faced with the potential risks of protests and other disruptions, theaters deemed it unworthy to continue exhibiting the movie.
The Kerala Story has demonstrated its mettle at the box office, amassing a remarkable ₹16 crore on its third day of release. This powerful growth, coupled with its cumulative earnings of over ₹35 crore, solidifies the film’s status as a successful venture. Despite initial controversy surrounding its trailer, the movie has garnered positive response from film enthusiasts and received the green light from the Kerala High Court and CBFC. While facing setbacks in Tamil Nadu, The Kerala Story remains a captivating cinematic experience that has struck a chord with audiences. As its journey unfolds, all eyes are on the film’s performance and future achievements.
