‘The Kerala Story 2’ Faces Mixed Response; Rahul Gandhi Says Theatres Appear Empty

New Delhi: The film The Kerala Story 2 was released in theatres last week after a prolonged legal battle and intense public criticism.

The sequel comes after the massive attention received by its predecessor The Kerala Story, which was released in 2023 and created widespread debate across the country.

Despite the controversies surrounding it, the first film performed strongly at the box office and went on to become the ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of that year.

However, the sequel appears to be receiving a weaker response from audiences. According to early box-office reports, the film collected around ₹25.4 crore in its first week, falling short of expectations.

Several viewers across the country have also expressed negative reactions, both in theatres and on social media platforms. The film has continued to draw criticism from various political leaders as well.

Earlier, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had described the film as a tool that spreads hatred. Now, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi has also shared his views on the film during his recent visit to Kerala.

Speaking at a public interaction with students at a college in Idukki during his Kerala tour, Rahul Gandhi responded to a question from a student about whether films are increasingly being used as political propaganda to shape public opinion. In his response, Gandhi remarked that the theatres screening “The Kerala Story 2” appear to be mostly empty.

“The good news is that the theatres showing The Kerala Story seem empty. It looks like nobody is coming to watch it. This shows that the majority of people in this country clearly understand the culture and traditions of Kerala,” Rahul Gandhi said during the interaction.

He further argued that films, television and sections of the media are increasingly being used as tools to influence public perception. According to him, such platforms are sometimes used to stigmatize individuals and communities, create divisions within society and benefit certain groups while harming others.

Rahul Gandhi also said that people who attempt to present a different perspective often face opposition and are sometimes not given space to express their views. “I experience this regularly,” he said, adding that only certain narratives are promoted widely while others struggle to receive attention.

Earlier, Pinarayi Vijayan, the Chief Minister of Kerala, had also expressed concern about the sequel. He alleged that the film was created with the intention of spreading hatred against Kerala and undermining the state’s secular traditions.

Vijayan urged authorities and the public to view the release of the film seriously, given its potential social and political impact.

Also Read: Vijayapura Court Sentences Father to 20 Years in Prison for Raping Five-Year-Old Daughter