Ticket sales for The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond remained slow across Kerala a day after the High Court cleared its release, as protests and controversy continued to overshadow its debut. Theatre owners said they expect turnout to improve in the coming days.

Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staged demonstrations outside theatres in Kochi, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Thrissur and Kannur, claiming the film tarnishes the state’s image. Several shows were cancelled following the protests.

"We will not prevent anyone from seeing the film, so far none has turned up," said DYFI protesters. Visuals broadcast on television showed demonstrators shouting slogans and tearing posters at screening venues.

Sparse audiences and slow bookings across the state

In Kochi, Shenoy Theatre experienced protests in the morning but saw modest improvement in bookings later in the day, owner Suresh said. In Kozhikode, Crown Theatre reported only 20–25 tickets sold for the noon show, with subsequent screenings cancelled. In Kottayam, Anaswara Theatre’s first show attracted just 24 attendees before evening and night shows were scrapped.

Online platform BookMyShow reflected low bookings in Thiruvananthapuram, with PVR at Lulu Mall registering just 68 tickets for four shows by 10 am. "The bookings are higher for the evening and night shows," Suresh added. He noted that the first film, The Kerala Story, also had a slow start in 2023 before collections improved.

In Ernakulam district, Pan Cinemas sold only six tickets for a show, while PVR recorded just two. Regal Theatre in Kozhikode had only two advance bookings for its first screening, forcing cancellation.

Cinema owners attributed low turnout to late ticket openings and audience hesitation pending reviews. "Hopefully, things will improve in the coming days, as they did the first time," said Vinod Iyer of Crown Theatre.

Legal clearance and filmmaker’s plea amid threats

The Kerala High Court’s Division Bench stayed a single judge’s 15-day hold on the film, stating the earlier ruling “cannot be countenanced” as it was based "merely on a few clippings and without viewing the movie." The bench added that the CBFC certificate carries a prima facie presumption that guidelines were followed.

Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah said theatre owners in Kerala and Chennai faced threats to pull the movie. Speaking to IANS, he urged, "I request the Chief Ministers of both states to fully implement the judgment of the court and take strict action against the Gunda elements who are trying to stop the movie. Otherwise, what is the point of the law, if it is only implemented on us and not them?"

Shah praised audience response in theatres, adding, "Our distributors and theatre owners are extremely happy. They have even informed that they wish to increase the number of screens and the number of shows as they can see that the audience reaction will be translated into box office numbers."

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the film, warning against any portrayal that could divide communities, while senior BJP leader and former Meghalaya Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan said, "It's not how many people see but what the film has to say. I saw the first part and will see this one also."

The state’s muted opening leaves attention on whether the controversy will generate broader audience interest in the coming days.