Kochi: Even as the controversial film Kerala Story 2 hit theatres following a favourable High Court verdict, audience turnout painted a starkly different picture. In Kozhikode, the 10 pm screening at Regal Theatre had to be cancelled after just two tickets were sold. With barely any viewers, theatre authorities decided to call off the show. In Kochi too, the response was lukewarm — not a single ticket was reportedly booked for the first show scheduled at Pan Cinemas in Nucleus Mall. Though the film released across nine centres in the city, bookings for other screenings have remained negligible.
The release followed a favourable ruling by a Division Bench of the High Court, headed by Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, which observed that the film cannot be assessed solely on the basis of its teaser. The producers had argued that the film does not disturb communal harmony and that further delay would cause substantial financial losses. The Division Bench’s order came after a Single Bench had earlier imposed a 15-day interim stay on the release. Despite clearing legal hurdles, the film now faces the bigger test of winning over audiences at the box office.
