'The Kerala Story 2': Will Kerala's name change to Keralam affect Vipul Amrutlal Shah's film at the box-office?

There’s a lot happening as The Kerala Story 2 is all set to release in cinemas this Friday. First, there were rumours the teaser has been removed from the internet but they were refuted by the makers in a statement.

Makers Say No Court Order Has Directed Any Removal

In a detailed statement, Sunshine Pictures clarified that the matter is currently sub judice and no court has passed any order directing the removal of any promotional content.

“Sunshine Pictures would like to categorically clarify that the news currently circulating regarding the removal of  _The Kerala Story 2 – Goes Beyond_ teaser is completely false, baseless, and misleading. The matter is presently subjudice. No judgement or order has been passed by any court directing the removal of any content,” the statement read.

Kerala becomes Keralam

BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s decision to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’, stating that it reflects respect for Indian heritage, while slamming the opposition for protesting such changes due to what he called a “slave mentality.”

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Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said the decision was taken respecting public sentiments. “Respecting these public sentiments, the Union Cabinet has decided that the name of Kerala will be changed to Keralam,” Poonawalla said.

The BJP spokesperson emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has consistently demonstrated respect for Indian heritage through various renaming initiatives. “We have seen that ever since PM Modi’s government came to power, a clear picture has emerged that we fully respect our Indian heritage. Some people are still suffering from a foreign and slave mentality, that if Kerala is changed to Keralam, they protest, if Rajpath is changed to Kartavyapath, they protest,” he said.

Taking a dig at those opposing such renaming decisions, Poonawalla said they have become accustomed to slavery and foreign mentality. “They have become accustomed to slavery and foreign mentality,” he added. The Union Cabinet’s approval to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’ follows similar renaming initiatives undertaken by the Modi government, including the renaming of Rajpath to Kartavyapath in New Delhi.

However, the change in the name will have no direct connection to the commercial prospects of the film whose sequel comes out three years after the success of the first film. The second part will have to rely on its own merit to be able to strike gold the way the 2023 film did.

With added inputs from agencies