23 May 2023, Mumbai: The Kerala Story, directed by Sudipto Sen and starring Adah Sharma, has achieved a remarkable milestone in its box office journey. Despite facing political backlash and controversies surrounding its theme, the film has emerged as one of the biggest commercial hits of 2023, joining the ranks of successful films like Pathaan and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Based on the sensitive subject of religious conversion and recruitment of Malayali girls by ISIS (Islamic State of Syria and Iraq), The Kerala Story has garnered attention from audiences and critics alike. While some viewers have labeled it as a propaganda film due to its mention of ‘Love Jihaad,’ the movie has managed to create waves at the box office.
Bashing out of the Box!
On its 17th day of release, The Kerala Story witnessed a significant surge in its earnings, crossing the ₹200 crores mark. The film collected a whopping ₹11.50 crores on its third Sunday, bringing its total earnings to over ₹198 crores. It is anticipated to achieve the remarkable milestone of ₹200 crores on Monday, marking its place as the second Hindi film to reach this coveted number in 2023, after Pathaan.
Renowned movie critic and business analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to share the film’s success, stating, “DOUBLE CENTURY… #TheKeralaStory will hit ₹200 Cr TODAY [Mon; Day 18]… The second #Hindi film to cross the coveted number in 2023, after #Pathaan [Jan 2023]…” The film’s box office performance in its third week was as follows:
Friday – ₹6.60 crores
Saturday – ₹9.15 crores
Sunday – ₹11.50 crores.
The cumulative box office collection now stands at ₹198.97 crores.
The Kerala Story, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, hit the theaters on May 5, 2023. Alongside Adah Sharma, the film features Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Siddhi Idnani, and Devadarshini in pivotal roles. The movie sheds light on the distressing incidents of forced conversions and recruitment of women from Kerala by the terror group Islamic State (IS). The film’s release has sparked debates and polarized the political discourse in the country. While the West Bengal government imposed a ban on the movie on May 8, citing concerns over communal tensions, the Supreme Court later stayed the ban and instructed Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of moviegoers. Theatres in Tamil Nadu had also halted screenings from May 7 due to law-and-order issues and low audience turnout.
Despite the challenges and controversies, The Kerala Story has managed to captivate the audience and achieve remarkable success at the box office. With its thought-provoking narrative and impactful performances, the film continues to make waves in the industry, solidifying its position as one of the biggest commercial hits of 2023.
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By Yashika Desai