Mumbai/IBNS: The Kerala Story, which courted controversy over its subject and certains factual claims, has maintained a terrific run on the opening days in the box office.
Extending the opening collection of Rs. 8.08 crore, the film has registered Rs. 11.22 crore and Rs. 16 crore on Saturday and Sunday respectively battling people’s interest in cricket extravaganza IPL.
Film critic and business analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, “#TheKeralaStory is UNSTOPPABLE and UNSHAKABLE… PHENOMENAL biz on Day 2 and 3 makes it a SMASH-HIT… Withstands two mighty opponents: #Hollywood film #GotGVol3 and #IPL2023… Fri 8.03 cr, Sat 11.22 cr, Sun 16 cr. Total: ₹ 35.25 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice.”
The film beat the opening figures of movies by several megastars. It got a higher box office collection than Akshay Kumar starrer Selfie, and Karthik Aryan’s Shahzada.
The Kerala Story depicts the alleged radicalisation and conversion of young Hindu and Christian women to Islam in Kerala and their recruitment into the terrorist organisation Islamic State or ISIS.
The Kerala Story has sparked a political controversy. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the film’s makers of promoting the agenda of the Sangh Parivar.
He criticized the film for painting Kerala as a hub of religious extremism and spreading hate propaganda against the state.
The film was released after the Madras High Court rejected a petition seeking a ban on the release of the controversial film.
The high court verdict followed a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a series of appeals, including one filed by the Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind, against the movie’s release.
The petitioners claim that the film could incite hatred and hostility in society, and the top court directed them to approach the relevant high court.
