The Kerala Story, a Hindi-language drama film, took the Indian box office by storm upon its release on May 5, 2023. Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film stirred significant buzz due to its controversial narrative surrounding the alleged forced conversion of women from Kerala to Islam and their recruitment into the Islamic State. Starring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani, The Kerala Story box office collection became a topic of widespread discussion, fueled by strong word-of-mouth publicity and political endorsements. Despite facing bans and protests in certain states, the film’s advance bookings were robust, with 31,600 tickets sold for its opening day, surpassing expectations for a low-budget film. For Indian audiences, The Kerala Story box office collection day-wise reports, as tracked by sources like Sacnilk and Koimoi, highlight its phenomenal performance, making it one of the standout films of 2023.
Film Overview
The Kerala Story is a hard-hitting drama that claims to be inspired by real events, focusing on the controversial concept of “love jihad” and the radicalization of young women. The film follows Shalini Unnikrishnan (played by Adah Sharma), a Hindu woman from Kerala who is brainwashed into converting to Islam and joining ISIS, only to face harrowing consequences. Directed by Sudipto Sen, known for his earlier documentary work on similar themes, and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah under Sunshine Pictures, the movie sparked heated debates even before its release. Its teaser, claiming 32,000 women from Kerala were recruited into ISIS, was later revised due to factual inaccuracies, adding to the controversy. Despite negative critical reviews, the film resonated with a section of the audience, leading to impressive The Kerala Story box office collection figures. The excitement was palpable, with midnight shows added in several locations due to high demand.
| Detail | Information | |—————|———————————| | Movie Name | The Kerala Story | | Release Date | May 5, 2023 | | Language | Hindi (also dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada) | | Director | Sudipto Sen | | Producer | Vipul Amrutlal Shah, Aashin A. Shah, Ravichand Nallappa | | Lead Cast | Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Siddhi Idnani | | Budget | ₹28 Crore | | Genre | Drama |
Lead Actor Net Worth (2025)
Adah Sharma, the lead actress of The Kerala Story, has emerged as a versatile performer in Indian cinema, known for her roles in films like 1920 and Commando 2. In 2025, her estimated net worth is around ₹50 Crore, driven by her acting projects, brand endorsements, and social media presence. Adah has endorsed brands like Stayfree and Lakmé, leveraging her vibrant online persona to connect with fans. Her performance in The Kerala Story as Shalini/Fatima Ba earned widespread praise, cementing her reputation as a bankable actress capable of handling intense roles. Previous successes like Hasee Toh Phasee and her foray into South Indian cinema have contributed to her growing financial portfolio, making her a prominent figure in the industry.
Box Office Collection: India (Day-Wise)
The Kerala Story box office collection in India showcased a remarkable trajectory, defying expectations for a film with a modest ₹28 Crore budget. The movie opened with a strong ₹8.03 Crore on Day 1, outperforming bigger releases like Shehzada and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway. The weekend saw significant growth, with collections spiking to ₹16.40 Crore on Sunday, driven by positive word-of-mouth and political endorsements from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Weekdays remained steady, with minimal drops, a rare feat for a small-budget film. By the end of Week 1, The Kerala Story box office collection hindi netted ₹81.14 Crore, setting the stage for its blockbuster run. Below is a detailed day-wise breakdown, as reported by Sacnilk and Bollywood Hungama:
| Day | Collection (₹ Cr) | |————–|——————-| | Day 1 | ₹8.03 | | Day 2 | ₹11.22 | | Day 3 | ₹16.40 | | Day 4 | ₹10.07 | | Day 5 | ₹11.14 | | Day 6 | ₹12.00 | | Day 7 | ₹12.50 | | Week 1 Total | ₹81.14 |
The film’s growth was particularly strong in northern India, where it resonated with audiences, while it faced resistance in southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu due to protests and bans. The Kerala Story box office collection day 4 marked a solid hold at ₹10.07 Crore, and by Day 6, it hit ₹12 Crore, as noted in posts on X, reflecting its sustained momentum. The film’s performance tapered slightly in later weeks but remained consistent, with The Kerala Story box office collection day 18 reaching ₹4.50 Crore and Day 27 earning around ₹1.50 Crore, according to industry trackers.
Overseas & Worldwide Collection
The Kerala Story box office collection worldwide was equally impressive, crossing ₹300 Crore, a rare milestone for a low-budget film. In India, the film amassed a nett collection of ₹242.20 Crore, translating to a gross of ₹288.33 Crore after taxes. Overseas, it earned ₹15.64 Crore (approximately $1.9 million USD), with stronger performance in markets like the USA and Canada compared to southern India. The The Kerala Story box office collection worldwide wikipedia data confirms a total gross of ₹303.97 Crore, making it the ninth-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023. Below is a summary of the collections:
| Region | Earnings (₹ Cr) | |—————-|—————–| | India Nett | ₹242.20 | | Overseas | ₹15.64 | | India Gross | ₹288.33 | | Worldwide Total| ₹303.97 |
The film’s global success was bolstered by its polarizing narrative, which sparked discussions across borders, though its overseas performance was modest compared to its domestic dominance.
OTT Release Info
The Kerala Story is available for streaming on Zee5, with its OTT release confirmed in February 2024, as per Sacnilk. The digital rights were reportedly sold for an estimated ₹20–25 Crore, a significant amount for a film of its scale. The OTT release allowed the movie to reach a broader audience, particularly those who missed its theatrical run due to regional bans. Fans can expect the film to continue generating buzz on Zee5, with dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada enhancing its accessibility.
Records & Milestones
The Kerala Story box office collection day-wise reports highlight several milestones. It secured the fifth-highest opening of 2023 in India with ₹8.03 Crore, outperforming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (₹7 Crore) on its debut day, as noted on X. The film entered the ₹100 Crore club in just 10 days and crossed ₹200 Crore nett in India by Day 17, earning the “all-time blockbuster” tag from trade analyst Taran Adarsh. By Day 41, The Kerala Story box office collection till now reached ₹241.08 Crore in India, per India Today. Compared to similar films like The Kashmir Files, it achieved a higher return on investment (ROI), with its ₹28 Crore budget yielding over 10x returns, a feat unmatched by most 2023 releases.
Audience & Critical Reception
The audience reception for The Kerala Story was polarized but undeniably passionate. Supporters praised its bold narrative and Adah Sharma’s gripping performance, with many calling it a “gut-wrenching” portrayal of real issues. However, critics slammed it as Islamophobic propaganda, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting a 14% approval rating from seven reviews. NDTV’s Saibal Chatterjee gave it 0.5/5 stars, labeling it a “poorly-made rant,” while The Indian Express rated it 1/5. Despite critical backlash, the film’s box office success was driven by public support, particularly in northern India, where it resonated with audiences aligned with its narrative. The The Kerala Story box office collection hindi figures reflect this, with strong occupancy rates (e.g., 45.72% on Day 4 night shows).
Social Media Buzz
On X, The Kerala Story sparked intense discussions, with hashtags like #TheKeralaStory and #TheKeralaStoryMovie trending throughout May 2023. Posts from users like @MinhazMerchant highlighted its box office dominance, noting ₹137 Crore in 10 days and ₹10 Crore on a slow Monday. Fans shared viral clips of Adah Sharma’s emotional scenes, while memes and debates about the film’s authenticity flooded timelines. Public sentiment was mixed—supporters hailed it as a “voice for the voiceless,” while detractors criticized its narrative as divisive. The The Kerala Story box office collection koimoi and Sacnilk updates were widely shared, amplifying its visibility.
Box Office Verdict
| Budget | ₹28 Cr | |—————-|—————–| | Collection | ₹303.97 Cr | | Verdict | All-Time Blockbuster | | Recovery Time | 4 Days |
With a budget of ₹28 Crore and a worldwide gross of ₹303.97 Crore, The Kerala Story is an undisputed all-time blockbuster. It recovered its budget within four days, a testament to its phenomenal ROI. The The Kerala Story box office collection and budget comparison places it among the most profitable films of 2023, surpassing Pathaan in ROI terms, as noted on X.
Predictions & Future Expectations
Looking ahead, The Kerala Story is likely to maintain its digital presence on Zee5, potentially driving viewership in regions where theatrical screenings were limited. Its controversial narrative may continue to spark debates, ensuring relevance in public discourse. Future box office analyses may compare it to upcoming socio-political dramas, with its success setting a benchmark for low-budget films tackling bold themes. The film’s performance suggests that audience-driven narratives can triumph despite critical panning, a trend that may influence 2025 releases.
Conclusion
The Kerala Story box office collection day-wise and worldwide gross of ₹303.97 Crore underscore its status as a cinematic phenomenon in 2023. Despite controversies and critical backlash, its massive audience support and political endorsements propelled it to blockbuster heights. Adah Sharma’s stellar performance and the film’s gripping narrative resonated with many, making it a standout in the Hindi film industry. As it continues to stream on Zee5, expect further discussions and analyses. Stay tuned for updates on its digital performance and how it shapes the landscape for bold, low-budget films in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the total box office collection of The Kerala Story?
A: As of now, the total worldwide gross is ₹303.97 Crore.
Q2: Is The Kerala Story a hit or flop?
A: Based on budget and earnings, it is declared an All-Time Blockbuster.
**Q3: What is the net worth of Adah Sharma in
