Mumbai: The film "The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" officially entered the profit zone on its ninth day of release, marking a significant milestone for the Hindi drama. The movie, directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, collected Rs 3.85 crore across all languages on its ninth day, bringing its total net collection in India to Rs 29.5 crore.This performance means the film has successfully recovered its reported production budget of Rs 28 crore, making it a profitable venture for its makers.[koimoi+2]
Film Recovers Budget Quickly
The journey to profitability for "The Kerala Story 2" has been closely watched since its release on February 27, 2026. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film was made with a budget of Rs 28 crore.After a first week collection of Rs 22.9 crore, the film added Rs 2.75 crore on its eighth day and then saw a notable jump to Rs 3.85 crore on its ninth day.This consistent performance helped the movie surpass its production costs within just over a week.[koimoi+3]
The film's total gross collection in India stands at Rs 34.81 crore, including taxes.With a profit margin currently at 16.85%, "The Kerala Story 2" has become Bollywood's second profitable film of 2026.This success comes despite facing pre-release controversies and a challenging theatrical landscape.[koimoi+1]
Overcoming Initial Hurdles
"The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond" stars Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles.The film faced several controversies and legal battles leading up to its release, including an initial stay by the Kerala High Court.Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah defended the film, stating that the High Court's decision to clear its release affirmed their stance.[koimoi+5]
Shah also responded to criticisms regarding the film's research, specifically addressing claims made by Sudipto Sen, the director of the original "The Kerala Story" (2023). Sen had alleged that the sequel's research was based on "WhatsApp forwards."Shah, however, dismissed these criticisms, stating, "I would say grapes are sour."This ongoing debate has kept the film in public discussion.[indianexpress+3]
Box Office Performance and Future Outlook
The film's box office run began with a modest opening of Rs 75 lakh on Day 1, but it saw a significant increase over its first weekend.The strong word-of-mouth has helped the film maintain a steady grip at the ticket windows, particularly during weekdays.Its success is notable given the limited competition currently in cinemas.[news+3]
While "The Kerala Story 2" has achieved profitability, it still aims for a "hit" verdict, which typically requires earning double its investment, or Rs 56 crore.The film is chasing the domestic lifetime collection of "Ikkis" (Rs 36.25 crore) to become the fourth-highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2026.However, the upcoming release of "Dhurandhar 2" in the next ten days could pose a challenge to its continued run.[koimoi+2]
The original "The Kerala Story," released in 2023, was a massive success, grossing over Rs 303.97 crore worldwide against a budget of Rs 15-20 crore.It became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2023.While the sequel's collections are not matching its predecessor's blockbuster numbers, its ability to turn a profit is a commendable achievement for a film without major star power.[en+3]
Industry Reaction and Context
The success of "The Kerala Story 2" highlights the audience's reception to content-driven films, even those mired in controversy. The film's producers and cast have expressed satisfaction with its performance, seeing it as validation for their efforts. The industry will now watch to see if the film can continue its momentum and achieve the "hit" status in the coming days.
The film's narrative, which claims to be inspired by true events and deals with sensitive social themes, has resonated with a segment of the audience, contributing to its sustained performance. Despite the criticisms and debates, the movie has drawn viewers to theaters, proving that compelling storytelling can still drive box office numbers.
