The Kerela Story opening surpasses Kashmir Files, earns Rs 8.3 crores on Day 1

New Delhi: Sudipto Sen’s controversial film The Kerela Story has finally made it to theaters. Despite the criticism and negative reviews, the crime drama managed to attract footfalls in huge numbers.

Earning Rs. 8.3 crores on its day one, The Kerela Story surpassed Kashmir Files (Rs.3.5 crore), Shehzada (6 crores), and the disastrous film Selfiee (Rs 2.55 crores) in terms of first-day collection.

Taran Adarsh, the film trade analyst, announced via Twitter that the film has managed to earn a little over Rs.8 crore on its first day at the box office. He also predicted an even better weekend collection because of solid occupancy.

#TheKeralaStory hits the ball out of the stadium ???… Takes a SMASHING START… Evening + night shows witness solid occupancy… The Day 1 numbers are an EYE-OPENER for the entire industry… TERRIFIC weekend assured… Fri ₹ 8.03 cr. #India biz. #Boxoffice pic.twitter.com/8dylt50Hcj

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) May 6, 2023

The response is definitely better than expected. So much so that PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis, the three major national chains have added more shows of The Kerela Story.

With an opening of 8.03 crores, the Sudipto Sen directorial has made it to the list of top 5 openers of this year. The list includes Pathaan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar, and Ajay Devgan’s Bholaa.

Critical Review

Despite attracting footfalls at the theaters in a big number, which can be attributed to the controversies around the film, it has failed to impress the critics.

There is a raging debate on social media where netizens are debating whether Hindu and Christian women are just passive unintelligent beings, as shown in Sudipto Sen’s directorial, who can be swayed away by evil Muslim men so easily.

Many argue that the film misrepresents Kerela, a state full of diversity in religion and ethnicities and attempts to show its fictional claims as the ultimate reality.