'The Kerala Story' off to flying start at box office

Controversial movie 'The Kerala Story' is off to a solid start at the India box office despite a large section of reviewers giving a thumbs-down for the flick.

On the first day, the movie has reportedly minted Rs 8 crore. As per the trade reports, the evening shows enjoyed fantastic occupancy in cinema halls.

"#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, [sic]" trade tracker Taran Adarsh said on Twitter.

The movie has taken a flying start when the movies of A-list actors are struggling to get double-digit openings.

'The Kerala Story' had run into controversy with petitions being filed in several courts including in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on its release. However, the courts have refused to ban the flick.

The movie has been severely criticised by politicians in Kerala accusing the movie of projecting Kerala and Muslims in a bad light. Also, the leaders including Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that the movie could create communal tension in the state.

The story revolves around 3 women who are converted and then sold off as sex slaves to the Islamic State.

On the other hand, the advance booking of tickets for the movie has been good on Saturday. Hence, the movie is predicted to do better business than its opening day.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government has said that the movie would be given a tax-free status in the state.

"We have already made a law against religious conversion in Madhya Pradesh. Since this film creates awareness, everyone should watch this film. Parents, children and daughters should watch it. That's why the Madhya Pradesh government is giving tax-free status to the movie 'The Kerala Story'," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.