Kannappa Box Office Collection: 2 Days Total Reaches ₹15.29 Crore in India

The much-anticipated Telugu mythological drama Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu and featuring high-profile cameos by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal, has made a notable impact at the box office. Released on June 27, 2025, the film has garnered attention for its devotional storytelling and star-studded cast. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Kannappa’s box office performance over its first two days, including India net, gross, and worldwide collections, along with key insights into its reception.

Kannappa Day 1 Box Office Collection

On its opening day, Kannappa recorded a solid performance, earning an estimated ₹9.35 crore net in India across all languages, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The Telugu version led the charge with an impressive 55.89% occupancy rate, particularly strong in evening and night shows, peaking at 69.87%. The film’s India gross collection stood at ₹11 crore, with an additional ₹2 crore from overseas markets, resulting in a worldwide gross of ₹13 crore on day one. This marked a career-best opening for Vishnu Manchu, significantly surpassing his previous films like Ginna (₹0.20 crore) and Mosagallu (₹0.50 crore). The strong start was bolstered by the film’s appeal to Shiva devotees and the buzz around its high-profile cameos.

Kannappa Day 2 Box Office Collection

On its second day, June 28, 2025, Kannappa experienced a dip in collections, earning an estimated ₹5.94 crore net in India, according to Sacnilk. This brought the two-day India net total to ₹15.29 crore. The Telugu version continued to dominate with a 44.42% occupancy rate, with night shows reaching 58.54%. Tamil occupancy was at 19.84%, while Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada versions saw lower turnouts at 5.81%, 14.56%, and 13.81%, respectively. Despite the drop, the film’s two-day worldwide gross is estimated at approximately ₹16.35 crore, with some sources reporting up to ₹18 crore worldwide when factoring in overseas contributions.

Key Factors Driving Kannappa’s Box Office Performance

1. Star Power and Cameos

The presence of Prabhas as Rudra, Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, Mohanlal as Kirata, and Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati has significantly boosted Kannappa’s appeal. These cameos, particularly Prabhas’ impactful role in the second half, have been praised by audiences, with fans calling the final 40 minutes “spectacular” and a “treat for Shiva bhakts.” Vishnu Manchu’s performance, especially in the emotional climax, has also received widespread acclaim.

2. Mythological Appeal

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and written by Vishnu Manchu, Kannappa is based on the legendary tale of a tribal hunter’s transformation into a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. This devotional narrative resonates strongly with audiences, particularly in Telugu-speaking regions, where the film has seen the highest occupancy. The film’s emotional depth and spiritual resonance have been highlighted as key strengths, despite mixed reviews on pacing and VFX quality.

3. Regional Performance

The Telugu version has been the primary driver of Kannappa’s box office success, with strong footfalls in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The film’s performance in other languages, such as Tamil (16.45% on day 1, 19.84% on day 2) and Hindi (14.56% on day 1), has been moderate, indicating a stronger regional appeal. Overseas collections, estimated at ₹2 crore on day one, have also contributed to the film’s global tally.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its strong opening, Kannappa has faced criticism for its lengthy runtime (over three hours), uneven pacing, and subpar VFX in certain sequences. Reviewers from outlets like The Hindu and India Today noted that the film falters in direction and screenplay execution, with a slow first half and shallow subplots. However, the emotional climax and devotional messaging have been widely appreciated, helping to maintain positive word-of-mouth.

Comparison with Competitors

Kannappa outperformed its competitors on its opening day, including Kajol’s Maa (₹4.50 crore net) and Brad Pitt’s F1 (₹5.25 crore net) in India. On day two, while Maa saw a slight increase to ₹5.65 crore, Kannappa maintained its lead with a two-day total of ₹15.29 crore net compared to Maa’s ₹10.30 crore. This performance underscores Kannappa’s stronger appeal in the Telugu market and its ability to draw audiences despite a dip on day two.

Budget and Break-Even Target

With an estimated budget of ₹100–200 crore, Kannappa is one of the most expensive Telugu films in recent times. To be considered a hit, it needs to gross approximately ₹150–200 crore worldwide over its theatrical run, according to industry estimates. The film’s current trajectory suggests it could achieve a strong opening weekend, with early predictions estimating a three-day worldwide gross of around ₹25–30 crore, depending on Sunday’s performance.

Audience and Industry Reception

Audience reactions on platforms like X have been largely positive, with fans praising Vishnu Manchu’s career-defining performance and the film’s devotional climax. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala and producer Naga Vamsi lauded the film’s blockbuster opening and Prabhas’ impactful cameo. However, some viewers expressed disappointment with the first half’s pacing and VFX quality, suggesting that improvements in these areas could have elevated the film further.

Future Prospects

With extra shows being added in Andhra Pradesh due to rising demand, Kannappa is poised for a potentially strong first weekend. Vishnu Manchu has confirmed that the film will have a theatrical run of at least 10 weeks before its OTT release, indicating confidence in its longevity at the box office. Positive word-of-mouth, particularly in Telugu-speaking regions, could help the film sustain its performance in the coming days.

Conclusion

Kannappa has made a promising start at the box office, with a two-day India net collection of ₹15.29 crore and a worldwide gross of approximately ₹16.35–18 crore. While it faces challenges with pacing and VFX, the film’s devotional appeal, strong performances, and high-profile cameos have positioned it as a significant player in the 2025 box office landscape. As it heads into its first weekend, all eyes are on whether Kannappa can maintain its momentum and achieve its break-even target.

Stay tuned for more updates on Kannappa’s box office performance and other Tollywood news!