The much-talked-about film of the year, The Kerala Story, has become a nationwide sensation. On its first day, the film garnered an impressive collection of Rs. 8 crores, and its second-day numbers show a remarkable growth of over 60%.
In regions like Maharashtra, where it initially struggled, the film has witnessed a staggering surge of more than 100% in collections. The film’s second-day collections projected to reach a range of 13-14 crores, and industry insiders anticipate further growth on Sunday.
However, it’s important to note that the film’s box office success is primarily fueled by its controversial and sensationalized subject matter, rather than its overall quality or craftsmanship.
Exhibitors, who were grappling with a lackluster post-Pathaan period, are now rejoicing in the triumph of The Kerala Story. With its modest budget, the film has already achieved hit status, and industry pundits predict that it will go on to become a blockbuster in the long run.
Following the unprecedented triumph of The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, Bollywood seems to have discovered a winning formula for success at a relatively lower production cost. It is likely that more of these agenda-driven films will be made, as there exists a segment of the audience that thrives on such content. The duration of this trend, however, remains to be seen.