LATEST UPDATE The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has officially released on February 27, 2026. As of Day 11 (March 9, 2026), the film has collected over ₹38.5 crore at the Indian box office. It has already recovered its ₹28-30 crore budget and entered the profit zone, becoming Bollywood’s 2nd profitable film of 2026.
1. Introduction
The wait is over. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond the much-anticipated sequel to the 2023 blockbuster has finally hit theatres across India. Released on February 27, 2026, the film arrives three years after the original ignited a national firestorm that reached the Supreme Court, divided state governments, and turned a ₹20 crore production into a ₹300+ crore phenomenon.
This article serves as a comprehensive, fully updated guide to the sequel covering everything from its confirmed cast and real storyline, to its box office performance, legal controversies, critical reception, and what the film means for Indian cinema in 2026. All information is based on confirmed facts as of March 10, 2026.
2. At a Glance: Key Facts
| Full Title | The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond |
| Release Date | February 27, 2026 (Theatrical India) |
| Director | Kamakhya Narayan Singh |
| Producer | Vipul Amrutlal Shah & Amarnath Jha |
| Production House | Sunshine Pictures |
| Writers | Amarnath Jha & Vipul Amrutlal Shah |
| Lead Cast | Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, Aishwarya Ojha |
| Supporting Cast | Sumit Gahlawat, Arjan Aujla, Yuktam Khosla |
| Music (BGM) | Mannan Shah |
| Cinematography | Abhijeet Chaudhari |
| Editor | Sanjay Sharma |
| Runtime | 131 minutes |
| Language | Hindi (U/A 16+ certificate) |
| Budget | ₹28–30 crore (reported) |
| India Box Office (Day 11) | ₹38.5 crore net |
| CBFC Certificate | U/A 16+ (received February 16, 2026) |
| IMDb Rating | 5.1/10 (as of March 2026) |
| OTT Platform (expected) | ZEE5 (negotiations ongoing) |
3. Background: The Original Kerala Story
To understand the sequel, it is essential to revisit the original film. The Kerala Story (2023), directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, was a Hindi-language drama that claimed to depict the alleged radicalization and trafficking of women from Kerala. Released on May 5, 2023, it opened to a polarized but massive reception.
Original Film — Key Achievements
| Director (Original) | Sudipto Sen |
| Release Year | 2023 |
| Production Budget | ₹20 crore (approx.) |
| Worldwide Collection | Over ₹300 crore |
| Opening Week | ₹81.4 crore (India) |
| Lead Actress | Adah Sharma |
| National Award | Best Director — 71st National Film Awards (Aug 2025) |
| OTT | ZEE5 |
| CBFC Classification | U/A |
The film’s success was extraordinary: it earned over 15 times its production budget, making it one of the highest-ROI Bollywood productions in recent memory. In August 2025, The Kerala Story won two awards at the 71st National Film Awards, including Best Director for Sudipto Sen a recognition that reignited public interest in the franchise just months before the sequel’s release.
Importantly, Sudipto Sen did not return to direct the sequel, choosing instead to focus on his next directorial project, Charak Fair of Faith. The sequel was helmed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, a filmmaker known for socially conscious documentaries, short films, and the feature film Bhor.
4. Pre-Release Journey & Timeline
| Jan 5, 2026 | Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah officially announces the sequel’s release date |
| Feb 2026 | Teaser and trailer released; trigger immediate political debate across India |
| Feb 16, 2026 | Film receives U/A 16+ certificate from the CBFC |
| Feb 25, 2026 | Kerala High Court issues interim stay on the film’s release following writ petition by Sreedev Namboodiri |
| Feb 25, 2026 | Court directs producers to screen the film for judges; Vipul Shah opposes the order |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Kerala HC Division Bench convenes a special sitting in response to producers’ urgent appeal |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Stay overturned; film releases theatrically on schedule across India |
5. Legal Battles & Political Controversies
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond generated intense legal and political controversy even before a single frame was shown to the public. The pre-release period in February 2026 was arguably as dramatic as the film itself.
The Kerala High Court Battle
On February 25, 2026, petitioner Sreedev Namboodiri filed a writ petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the CBFC certification granted to the film. The petition argued that the film’s promotional material including its title and depiction of alleged forced conversions and terrorism could create a misleading regional association with the state of Kerala and potentially disturb communal harmony and public order.
The High Court issued notices to the producers, the CBFC, and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It also observed that the CBFC appeared to have not strictly followed guidelines meant to ensure films do not disrupt social harmony, and granted an interim stay on the film’s release on February 26.
However, on the very same day, producers moved an urgent appeal. The Kerala High Court Division Bench convened a special sitting a rare occurrence and ultimately overturned the stay on February 27, allowing the film to release as scheduled.
Separately, the Kerala HC directed the makers to halt the sale of the film’s digital rights until further legal proceedings were resolved a complication that has delayed OTT negotiations.
Political Reactions
- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the sequel as potentially promoting divisive narratives and called for careful consideration of its societal impact.
- The Communist Party of India (Kerala state unit) passed a resolution opposing the film and urged reconsideration of its CBFC certification, alleging it could create communal tension.
- Union Minister Giriraj Singh publicly defended the film, stating that filmmakers have every right to present their own perspective on social issues.
- Bihar politician Pappu Yadav criticised the debate surrounding the film and questioned whether political parties should have influence over filmmaking decisions.
- The film’s trailer triggered extensive social media debate, with users arguing both that it reflected genuine investigative journalism and that it promoted a divisive, one-sided narrative.
6. Full Storyline of The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond
Unlike the original film which followed women from Kerala specifically the sequel deliberately expands its geographic scope to three different Indian states, while retaining the same thematic core: the alleged deception and coercion of young Hindu women through interfaith relationships.
The Three Protagonists
The film’s narrative runs across three parallel stories, set in Kochi (Kerala), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh). The three central characters are:
- Surekha Nair (played by Ulka Gupta) — An ambitious UPSC aspirant from Kochi, Kerala, described as a progressive and independent-minded young woman. She enters a live-in relationship with Salim (Sumit Gahlawat), a self-described liberal journalist who assures her he will not ask her to convert or change her lifestyle. Salim’s true intentions are progressively revealed as the story unfolds.
- Neha Sant (played by Aishwarya Ojha) — A talented javelin thrower from Madhya Pradesh with dreams of competing at the national level. Her love interest, Faizan (Arjan Aujla), deceives her by initially presenting himself as a Hindu man named Raju before his true identity and agenda are revealed.
- Divya Paliwal (played by Aditi Bhatia) — A carefree, social-media-obsessed dance enthusiast from Rajasthan who is lured by Rasheed (Yuktam Khosla), who uses promises of freedom and glamour to draw her away from her disapproving family.
Narrative Structure & Themes
The film opens with a dramatic flash-forward scenes from the film’s climax, including police vehicles rushing through Kochi and one of the girls in a deeply distressing situation. This structure, while removing suspense, is intended to create a sense of inevitability and urgency from the very first scene.
As the three stories unfold in parallel, the film portrays each male antagonist as part of a broader organised network with a stated religious agenda. A cleric character articulates the ideology explicitly, claiming that the aim is to change India’s demographic composition within 25 years. This is one of the film’s most controversial and debated elements.
The emotional core of the film lies in the scenes between the young women and their families particularly the moments where parents realise what has happened to their daughters. Several critics and audiences cited these family scenes as the film’s most genuinely affecting sequences, transcending the polemical framing.
How It Differs from the Original
| Feature | The Kerala Story (2023) |
| Director | Sudipto Sen |
| Lead | Adah Sharma |
| Setting | Primarily Kerala |
| Focus | Radicalization / ISIS angle |
| Tone | Documentary-realist |
| Budget | ₹20 crore |
| Box Office | ₹300+ crore |
| Feature | The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond (2026) |
| Director | Kamakhya Narayan Singh |
| Lead | Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, Aishwarya Ojha |
| Setting | Kerala, Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh |
| Focus | Love jihad / coercion / grooming |
| Tone | Drama-thriller with emotional scenes |
| Budget | ₹28–30 crore |
| Box Office (Day 11) | ₹38.5 crore net (profitable) |
7. Complete Cast & Crew
Lead Cast
| Ulka Gupta | Surekha Nair — UPSC aspirant from Kochi, Kerala |
| Aditi Bhatia | Divya Paliwal — Dance enthusiast from Rajasthan |
| Aishwarya Ojha | Neha Sant — Javelin thrower from Madhya Pradesh |
| Sumit Gahlawat | Salim — Journalist; Surekha’s manipulative love interest |
| Arjan Aujla | Faizan / Raju — Neha’s deceptive love interest (dual role) |
| Yuktam Khosla | Rasheed — Divya’s menacing antagonist |
| Alka Amin | Hafsa Begum — Supporting antagonist |
| Ramji Bali | Raghuveer Sant — Neha’s father |
| Priyam Jain | Sub Inspector Anil Tomar |
Key Production Team
| Director | Kamakhya Narayan Singh |
| Producers | Vipul Amrutlal Shah & Amarnath Jha |
| Screenplay / Story | Amarnath Jha & Vipul Amrutlal Shah |
| Casting Director | Mukesh Chhabra |
| Cinematography | Abhijeet Chaudhari |
| Editor | Sanjay Sharma |
| Choreography | Ganesh Acharya |
| Background Score | Mannan Shah |
| Songs | Mannan Shah & Rahul Suhas |
| Lyrics | Manoj Muntashir |
| Production Design | Shrikant Desai |
| Costume Design | Juhi Talmaki |
Why Adah Sharma Did Not Return
One of the most frequently asked questions about the sequel is why Adah Sharma the original film’s star and breakout performer did not reprise her role. Officially, the sequel introduces entirely new characters rather than continuing the stories of the original protagonists, which meant there was no narrative requirement for the original cast. Director Sudipto Sen also stepped away to focus on his new project, Charak – Fair of Faith. The sequel is described in some circles as a ‘spiritual sequel’ rather than a direct continuation.
8. Box Office Performance (Day-by-Day)
The film had a slow opening but rapidly gained momentum over its first two weekends. As of Day 11 (March 9, 2026), it has become a profitable venture for Sunshine Pictures and is tracking as Bollywood’s second successful film of 2026.
Daily Box Office Breakdown (India Net)
| Day 1 (Thu, Feb 27) | ₹0.75–0.90 crore — Slow start due to partial release after court stay |
| Day 2 (Fri, Feb 28) | ₹5.6 crore — Large single-day jump post stay lift |
| Day 3 (Sat, Mar 1) | ₹5.7 crore — Strong weekend hold |
| Day 4 (Sun, Mar 2) | ₹4.75 crore — Weekend peak |
| Day 5 (Mon, Mar 3) | Weekday drop; maintained steady pace |
| Day 6 (Tue, Mar 4 — Holi) | ₹3.5 crore — Partial holiday boost |
| Day 7 (Wed, Mar 5) | ₹2.19 crore — Hindi occupancy at 9.62% |
| Day 8 (Thu, Mar 6) | ₹2.5 crore — 2nd week Friday |
| Day 9 (Fri, Mar 7) | ₹3.85 crore — Entered profit zone; cumulative ₹29.5 crore |
| Day 10 (Sat, Mar 8) | ₹3.75 crore — Held despite T20 World Cup final |
| Day 11 (Sun, Mar 9) | ₹3.37 crore — Cumulative crossed ₹38.5 crore |
Financial Milestone Summary
| Production Budget | ₹28–30 crore (reported) |
| Budget Recovered | Day 9 (fully recovered) |
| India Net Total (Day 11) | ₹38.5 crore |
| India Gross Total (Day 11) | ₹45+ crore (approx.) |
| Profit % (Day 10 estimate) | ~16.85% |
| Verdict | SUCCESS (profitable, 2nd in Bollywood 2026) |
| Target for HIT verdict | ₹56 crore (double the budget) |
| Competition | Dhurandhar 2 releasing March 19 may affect run |
| OTT Release (projected) | Late April / Early May 2026 (pending legal clearance) |
Performance vs. Original: The sequel’s opening week of approximately ₹22.9 crore represents a significant 72% drop compared to the original’s ₹81.4 crore opening week. This underlines the challenge of replicating a cultural phenomenon, especially without the original’s star (Adah Sharma) or director (Sudipto Sen). However, the sequel’s performance must be viewed on its own terms: it recovered its ₹28 crore budget in under 10 days and has emerged as a genuine theatrical success in a year where Bollywood successes have been rare.
9. Critical Reception & Reviews
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond received mixed-to-negative reviews from mainstream critics. The film holds an IMDb rating of 5.1/10 as of early March 2026. Audience reception, however, has been more divided along ideological lines, with supportive viewers rating it significantly higher on some platforms.
Critic Scores at a Glance
| ABP News (Amit Bhatia) | 2.5 / 5 — ‘Serviceable but uneven sequel with weaker production values’ |
| Bollywood Bubble | Positive — ‘Gripping and horrific narrative; disturbing and eye-opening’ |
| Koimoi | 2.5 / 5 — ‘More outrage, less depth; Ulka Gupta and Aditi Bhatia shine’ |
| The Hindu (Anuj Kumar) | Mixed — ‘Better performed than original; prioritises manipulation over plot’ |
| Scroll.in (Nandini Ramnath) | Negative — ‘Goes far beyond predecessor in portraying a community as villains’ |
| Onmanorama (Princy Alexander) | Mixed — ‘Less invested in probing a social issue than reiterating a fixed viewpoint’ |
| The Week | 1 / 5 — Very negative; accused the film of group-targeted messaging |
| Great Andhra | Positive — ‘Clarion call against love jihad terrorism; worth a watch’ |
| IMDb Audience Rating | 5.1 / 10 (3,300+ votes as of March 2026) |
What Critics Praised
- The performances of the three lead actresses Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha were widely acknowledged as the film’s strongest asset.
- Aditi Bhatia’s portrayal of Divya’s transformation from a carefree teenager to a victim of grooming was cited as particularly impressive across multiple reviews.
- Aishwarya Ojha’s emotionally impactful performance as Neha drew strong responses from both critics and audiences.
- The scenes involving the protagonists’ parents were cited as the most emotionally authentic and affecting moments of the film.
- The male antagonists particularly Yuktam Khosla as Rasheed and Sumit Gahlawat as Salim were praised for convincingly menacing performances.
What Critics Criticised
- The film’s narrative structure opening with flash-forward scenes from the climax was considered to eliminate suspense and reduce dramatic tension.
- The predictability of the story was a frequent complaint; critics noted there were no genuine twists given the trailer’s revelations.
- The portrayal of Muslim characters as uniformly villainous, with little nuance or complexity, drew sharp criticism from multiple outlets.
- The background score was described as ‘deafening’ and excessive, particularly in climactic sequences.
- Surekha’s storyline was considered the weakest, with her passivity and missed escape opportunities feeling unrealistic to several reviewers.
- The film’s decision to frame the crimes of specific individuals as the ‘defining attribute’ of an entire religious community was the central point of criticism across negative reviews.
10. OTT & Digital Release
The film’s digital release is currently pending legal resolution. The Kerala High Court directed the makers to halt the sale of digital rights until it resolved petitions challenging the film’s certification. Although the theatrical ban was overturned on the release date itself, this separate restriction on rights deals has delayed OTT negotiations.
ZEE5, which holds the streaming rights to the original film, is the frontrunner to acquire the sequel’s digital rights. Industry analysts expect the film to follow the standard 56-day (8-week) theatrical window mandated by the Multiplex Association of India (MAI), which would place the OTT debut in late April or early May 2026. However, mid-budget films with narrower screen counts sometimes negotiate a shorter 4-week window, which could bring the streaming date forward to late March 2026.
11. How the Sequel Compares to the Original
The gap in performance between the two films is significant, and understanding why reveals a great deal about how the Indian film market and public discourse have evolved since 2023.
Key Differences in Reception
- The original arrived in a cultural moment when its subject matter was relatively unexplored on screen; the sequel arrives in a much more saturated conversation, reducing the novelty factor substantially.
- Adah Sharma’s performance in the original was a career-defining moment that helped carry the film emotionally; the ensemble-led sequel, while competent, does not have the same singular star power.
- The original’s controversy including dramatic attempts to ban it across multiple states paradoxically drove enormous curiosity. The sequel’s legal drama, while intense, resolved faster and with less nationwide political mobilisation.
- The original earned ₹81.4 crore in its first week; the sequel earned approximately ₹22.9 crore in the same period a 72% decline.
- Despite underperforming relative to the original, the sequel has still turned profitable, suggesting that the franchise retains a loyal core audience.
12. National Award Context
A significant development that preceded the sequel’s release was The Kerala Story winning two awards at the 71st National Film Awards in August 2025, including Best Director for Sudipto Sen. This recognition from India’s most prestigious film honour was both a vindication for the filmmakers and a source of fresh political controversy.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan publicly criticised the National Award win, leading director Sudipto Sen to publicly respond and defend the film’s merit. This exchange kept the franchise in national headlines just months before the sequel’s release and contributed to the heightened anticipation around Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond.
13. Audience Response & Social Media Trends
As with the original, the sequel has generated deeply polarised responses on social media. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, the film has attracted both fierce support from audiences who see it as an important social document and strong criticism from those who view it as communally inflammatory content.
Notably, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Indian Parliament, was reported to have referenced the sequel’s relatively empty theatres in Kerala as evidence of a shift in public understanding of the state’s culture a remark that added a political dimension to the film’s box-office conversation.
Among supporters, the film has been positioned as an important cautionary narrative for young audiences. Some social media campaigns encouraged parents to take their teenage children to watch the film as an educational experience, echoing similar campaigns during the original’s theatrical run.
14. What Comes Next: Future of the Franchise
With the sequel now in theatres and performing profitably if not at blockbuster levels the natural question is where the franchise goes from here. Several factors will determine the future of The Kerala Story as a cinematic universe.
Will There Be a Kerala Story 3?
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has not commented publicly on any plans for a third instalment. However, given that both films have ultimately proven commercially viable, the franchise’s continuation cannot be ruled out. A third film would likely need a stronger script, a bigger star, or a genuinely fresh narrative angle to reverse the declining trajectory.
Sudipto Sen’s Next Project
Original director Sudipto Sen has moved on to produce Charak Fair of Faith, marking his transition from director to producer. Whether he might return to direct a future Kerala Story film remains unknown, but his departure has clearly left a creative void that the sequel has not fully filled.
Streaming & Long-Term Legacy
The original film’s enormous streaming numbers on ZEE5 gave it a second life that rivalled its theatrical impact. If the sequel finds a strong OTT audience after its legal complications are resolved, it too could achieve a significant secondary run that extends its cultural footprint well beyond the theatrical period.
15. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Kerala Story 2 released?
Yes. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond released in Indian theatres on February 27, 2026, following a last-minute court battle that was resolved on the same day.
Who directed Kerala Story 2?
The sequel was directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. The original was directed by Sudipto Sen, who did not return for this film.
Why didn’t Adah Sharma appear in Kerala Story 2?
The sequel introduces entirely new characters rather than continuing the original protagonists’ stories. There was therefore no narrative requirement for Adah Sharma’s character to return. The new leads are Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha.
How much has Kerala Story 2 earned?
As of Day 11 (March 9, 2026), the film has collected over ₹38.5 crore net at the Indian box office. It has already recovered its reported ₹28–30 crore budget and entered the profit zone.
What is the plot of Kerala Story 2?
The film follows three young women — Surekha (from Kerala), Neha (from Madhya Pradesh), and Divya (from Rajasthan) — who enter relationships with men who conceal their true identities and intentions. The narrative explores the alleged deception and its consequences for the three women and their families.
Was Kerala Story 2 banned?
The Kerala High Court granted an interim stay on the film’s release on February 26, 2026. However, the stay was overturned by the court’s Division Bench on the very next day (February 27), and the film released as scheduled.
When will Kerala Story 2 release on OTT?
The OTT release date has not been confirmed. Legal proceedings related to the sale of digital rights are ongoing. Industry estimates suggest the film may stream on ZEE5 in late April or early May 2026, subject to the 56-day theatrical window and legal clearances.
Did the Kerala Story 2 win any awards?
As of March 2026, no awards have been announced for the sequel. The original film won two National Awards at the 71st National Film Awards in August 2025.
What is the IMDb rating of Kerala Story 2?
The film holds an IMDb rating of 5.1/10 based on over 3,300 votes as of March 2026, reflecting mixed audience opinion.
16. Conclusion
The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has arrived in Indian cinemas as one of 2026’s most debated releases. It has repeated the legal drama, political polarisation, and social media battles that defined its predecessor if not its staggering box-office scale. What it has achieved is no small feat in a challenging year for Bollywood: it has turned profitable, launched three new female leads into the spotlight, and kept a conversation alive about subjects that remain contentious in contemporary India.
The film’s mixed critical reception reflects the inherent difficulty of its subject matter and the creative challenge of following a cultural phenomenon. Whether it is judged as a courageous social document or as a commercially motivated exercise in polarisation will depend entirely on the lens through which the viewer approaches it a reality that, in itself, says much about Indian society in 2026.
With its OTT release approaching and its theatrical run still ongoing, the full story of Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond is still being written. Until the final verdict is in financial, critical, and cultural it remains one of the most significant films of the year.