The Kerala Story 2 on OTT: When and where to watch the controversial film

The Kerala Story 2, starring Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia and Aishwarya Ojha, is set for its digital release two months after it was released in theatres on February 27. Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures and directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, the film followed a theatrical run marked by legal hurdles, a temporary stay and a slight delay before it reached cinemas.

It is positioned as a spiritual sequel to the 2023 film The Kerala Story, and narrates a story with a similar theme, expanding the setting beyond Kerala. The sequel, however, has earned less at the box office than the first film.

When is The Kerala Story 2 releasing on OTT?

The Kerala Story 2 will release on OTT on May 1.

Where can you watch The Kerala Story 2 online?

The film will be available to watch online on ZEE5. The platform has confirmed the digital premiere in a social media announcement. The streamer also said the film will be available in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.

More about The Kerala Story 2

The Kerala Story 2 has been pitched as a spiritual sequel to the 2023 blockbuster The Kerala Story, which starred Adah Sharma and was directed by Sudipto Sen. Made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, the first film grossed Rs 304 crore worldwide and won National Awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography.

The sequel was made on a budget of Rs 30 crore and collected Rs 60 crore at the global box office. While the first film was set only in Kerala, the new film looks at stories of forced conversions in Kerala and other states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Both films depict the stories of three Hindu women who go against their families to marry Muslim men and are later forced to convert to Islam. In the sequel, the central characters are Divya, Neha and Surekha.

What was the controversy all about?

Initially, there was a stay on the film's release. Once the stay was lifted by Kerala High Court, it opened in cinemas but faced strong opposition from activist groups. This led to disruptions and cancellations in cities including Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram.

The controversy had begun with the release of the trailer, which drew criticism from sections of society that argued the narrative could fuel communal tension in Kerala.

Following the unrest and low turnout, several theatres cancelled further shows. Similar cancellations were reported at Cinepolis in Mall of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, due to protests and security concerns.