Hyderabad, August 1, 2025 – Vijay Deverakonda’s much-anticipated spy action thriller Kingdom hit theaters worldwide on July 31, 2025, and has made a thunderous debut at the box office, collecting an estimated ₹15.5 crore nett in India on its opening day, according to trade tracker Sacnilk. Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, this high-octane action drama has sparked excitement among fans and cinephiles, marking a significant milestone in Vijay’s career as he returns to the big screen with a powerful performance. Despite mixed reviews, the film’s strong pre-release buzz, impressive pre-sales, and Vijay’s star power have contributed to a solid opening, positioning Kingdom as one of the top Telugu film openers of 2025.

A Stellar Start for Kingdom

Kingdom has registered a robust opening, surpassing the first-day collections of Vijay Deverakonda’s previous films Kushi (₹15.25 crore) and The Family Star (₹5.75 crore), but falling just short of his career-best opener, Liger (₹15.95 crore). The film’s India nett collection of ₹15.5 crore includes contributions from its Telugu and Hindi versions, with the Telugu states leading the charge. In Nizam, the film amassed a share of ₹4.2 crore, while Andhra contributed ₹4.25 crore, and the Ceded region added ₹1.6 crore, totaling a ₹10 crore share in the Telugu states alone, translating to a gross of approximately ₹15 crore. Outside the Telugu states, the film collected ₹4.25 crore gross in other Indian markets and an impressive ₹12.5 crore gross overseas, bringing the worldwide first-day gross to a staggering ₹32 crore, with a share of ₹17.8 crore (TrackTollywood).

The film’s opening day occupancy in the Telugu states was a strong 64%, matching the performance of Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu and outperforming Ram Charan’s Game Changer (56%), placing Kingdom among the top three Telugu film openings of 2025, behind HIT 3 (79%) and Sankranthiki Vasthunam (70%). Warangal led with an exceptional 85% occupancy, even on a weekday, highlighting the film’s strong regional appeal. Overseas, Kingdom has already grossed $1 million in the US, with pre-sales of $135,649 for premiere shows across 501 screenings, selling over 7,000 tickets. This performance has placed it in the top 10 all-time Telugu ticket pre-sales on BookMyShow, surpassing Double iSmart and pushing Mad Square and Mr. Bachchan down the list.

The Hype and Build-Up

Kingdom has been in the spotlight since its announcement in January 2023 under the tentative title VD12. The film, produced by Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, faced multiple release date changes—from March 30 to May 30, then July 4, before finally locking in July 31, 2025—due to production delays and external factors like national events. The film’s promotional campaign, including a gripping teaser voiced by Jr NTR (Telugu), Suriya (Tamil), and Ranbir Kapoor (Hindi), and a trailer launched on July 26, 2025, generated significant buzz. Over 100,000 tickets were sold within the first 24 hours of advance bookings, reflecting the massive anticipation among Vijay’s fanbase.

The Andhra Pradesh government’s approval of a ticket price hike for a 10-day period further boosted the film’s prospects, allowing single-screen theaters to charge premium rates. The film’s pre-release event in Hyderabad, where music composer Anirudh Ravichander called Kingdom a “milestone” in Vijay’s career, added to the excitement. Vijay himself expressed his joy at the project, stating, “I really enjoyed making the movie. One-and-a-half years of shoot, I really enjoyed it.” Fans echoed this enthusiasm, with one netizen on X describing the film as a “unanimous blockbuster” and praising Vijay’s “standout performance” and Anirudh’s “powerful music.”

Plot and Performances

Set against the backdrop of the post-Independence Sinhala-Tamil conflict in Sri Lanka, Kingdom follows Vijay Deverakonda in a dual role as Constable Surya “Suri” and King, an undercover police constable sent to dismantle a powerful syndicate led by his estranged brother, Shiva. The narrative explores themes of family loyalty, duty, and socio-political tensions, including the struggles of the Telugu-speaking community in Sri Lanka. The film features a strong supporting cast, including Satyadev, Bhagyashri Borse (in her prominent Tollywood debut), Venkitesh V.P., and others, with music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and Jomon T. John, and editing by Naveen Nooli.

Critics and audiences have praised Vijay’s intense screen presence and Satyadev’s impactful performance, with two fight sequences standing out for their slick choreography. Anirudh’s background score has been lauded for elevating key moments, though some noted it lacks memorability. However, the film has faced criticism for its inconsistent narrative, rushed second half, and lack of emotional depth, with reviews from OTTPlay, Cinema Express, and The Indian Express rating it 2.5/5 stars. Despite these critiques, fans have celebrated Vijay’s return to form, with one review noting, “Vijay finally gets his redemption arc with Kingdom, both as an actor and character.”

Controversies and Challenges

Kingdom faced minor controversies on its opening day, including criticism from YouTuber and actor Prashanth, who accused the film of portraying Jaffna Tamils negatively, stirring debate on X. Additionally, fans expressed disappointment over the removal of the romantic track Hridayam Lopala from the theatrical cut, despite its popularity in promotions. The film also navigated production challenges, including Vijay’s shoulder injury in November 2024 and his recent recovery from dengue, which delayed promotional activities.

Box Office Outlook

With a reported budget of ₹130 crore, Kingdom needs to gross over ₹120 crore in India to break even. Having recovered approximately one-third of its theatrical rights on the opening day, the film is poised for a strong weekend, which could push it toward the break-even mark. The film’s performance in the Telugu states, coupled with its overseas success, suggests a positive trajectory, though it faces competition from other releases like Saiyaara, Son of Sardaar 2, and Dhadak 2. The announcement of a sequel, Kingdom Part 2, with Bhagyashri Borse having a more prominent role and a “big hero” playing the character Sethu, has already generated buzz for the franchise’s future.

Audience and Critical Reception

Audience reactions on X have been largely positive, with fans calling Kingdom a “mass entertainer” and praising Vijay’s “career-best performance” and Gowtam Tinnanuri’s “excellent storyline.” However, some netizens criticized the editing and pacing, with one review stating, “First half and BGM is good, no connection between key scenes, bad editing, dead storyline.” Others recommended waiting for the OTT release on Netflix, expected post-theatrical run. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film’s action sequences, visuals, and Vijay’s dedication have resonated with audiences, making it a watchable experience for his loyal fanbase.

Conclusion

Kingdom has set the stage for Vijay Deverakonda’s comeback, delivering a strong opening day collection of ₹15.5 crore in India and ₹32 crore worldwide. While the film has its flaws, its high-energy action, compelling performances, and Anirudh’s music have struck a chord with audiences. As the film continues its theatrical run, its ability to sustain momentum over the weekend will determine whether it can cement Vijay’s return to box office glory. For now, Kingdom is ruling the hearts of fans and making waves at the box office, proving that Vijay Deverakonda’s star power remains undeniable.

Stay tuned to Masala Mirror for more updates on Kingdom’s box office journey and exclusive entertainment news!