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Advance Bookings started for ‘The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ Amid Ongoing Debates

Guwahati, February 25, 2026 – Advance bookings for the sequel to the 2023 film “The Kerala Story” have officially opened across various platforms, including BookMyShow and select cinema chains such as US Cinemas. The film, titled “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond,” is set to premiere in theaters on February 27, 2026, just two days from now, and has already garnered significant attention with over 24,500 users expressing interest on BookMyShow.

Produced by Sunshine Pictures under Vipul Amrutlal Shah, who also serves as the writer and producer, the film is directed by National Award winner Kamakhya Narayan Singh. The co-producer is Aashin A. Shah, with lyrics contributed by Manoj Muntashir. The cast features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in lead roles, portraying young women entangled in narratives of manipulation and coercion.

The storyline expands the original film’s focus on alleged forced religious conversions from Kerala to a broader Pan-India perspective, drawing from documented court cases and seven months of research. It follows three women from different states—Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala—who initially defy family traditions for love, only to encounter control, loss of freedom, and eventual resistance. The trailer, released on February 17, 2026, includes a provocative warning about India potentially becoming an Islamic state in 25 years and features intense scenes, such as one involving force-feeding beef, which has elicited strong responses.

Classified as a drama-social genre with a UA16+ certification, the film runs for 2 hours and 11 minutes and is primarily in Hindi, with possible releases in other languages like Telugu. The production team has positioned the narrative with the tagline, “They targeted our daughters… This time, we do not stay silent,” emphasizing themes of resilience against perceived threats.

The trailer’s release has sparked considerable debate on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where opinions range from praise for its intensity to criticism regarding potential propaganda. Film trade analyst Komal Nahta described it as “high-intensity and hard-hitting,” highlighting the beef-feeding scene as particularly disturbing. Conversely, users have questioned whether the film targets specific criminals or an entire religion, with some labeling it as a “silly trap” that benefits from outrage-driven marketing. Others found the trailer “underwhelming” and a potential “self-goal” for certain political viewpoints.

As bookings gain momentum, the film is available for reservation through online portals and theater chains, with showtimes expected to be listed soon for major cities. This development follows the original film’s success and controversy, setting the stage for another polarized reception in Indian cinema.

By Abdul Kadir

Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst from Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015, he has been into box office reporting. With a focus on box office collections, OTT trends, and movie analysis, Kadir delivers accurate, data driven insights into the business of films.