Vishnu Manchu's 'Kannappa' Set to Surpass ₹20 Crore in Opening Weekend Amid Strong Regional Performance

Vishnu Manchu's ambitious project, 'Kannappa', is poised to cross the ₹20 crore mark during its opening weekend, following a promising start at the box office. The mythological drama, which premiered on Friday, has garnered significant attention, particularly in Telugu-speaking regions.

Promotional image of 'Kannappa'

According to early estimates, 'Kannappa' raked in approximately ₹9.35 crore on its opening day. While collections dipped slightly to ₹7 crore on Saturday, the film's total domestic earnings currently stand at an impressive ₹16.35 crore.

The movie has maintained a steady stream of viewers across various regions, boosted by cameo appearances from prominent stars such as Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohanlal.

Regional Performance

• Telugu States: The film is performing exceptionally well, recording a robust 44.42% occupancy on Saturday. Evening shows saw a peak occupancy of 58.54%.

• Tamil Nadu: Despite lacking a direct Tamil connection, 'Kannappa' has attracted audiences, achieving an overall occupancy of 19.84%. Afternoon and night screenings showed higher interest.

• Hindi Belt: The Hindi version reported a 17.37% occupancy, with evening and night shows demonstrating potential for further growth over the weekend.

• Kerala: The film received a more subdued response in Malayalam, with a 5.81% occupancy rate.

Storyline and Cast

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, 'Kannappa' is a mythological narrative centered around the unwavering devotion of Kannappa, a tribal hunter who becomes a revered devotee of Lord Shiva. The story highlights Thinnadu's unique form of worship, culminating in his legendary act of sacrificing his eyes to stop the bleeding of the Shiva Lingam.

Vishnu Manchu stars in the title role, supported by a stellar ensemble cast, including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Preity Mukhundhan, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmaji, and Brahmanandam.

Praise for Performance and Production

Vishnu Manchu's portrayal of Kannappa has been lauded for its emotional depth, particularly in the film's second half. Prabhas' appearance as Rudra has also been praised as a significant highlight.

The film was extensively shot in New Zealand, featuring music by Stephen Devassy and cinematography by Sheldon Chau.

Future of 'Kannappa'

Vishnu Manchu has hinted at a possible prequel to 'Kannappa', focusing on the protagonist's early life as Thinnadu, before his transformation into a devout follower.

On the film's release day, Vishnu Manchu shared his sentiments on social media, stating, "This moment… I've waited for it my entire life... #Kannappa is no longer just my film—it’s yours now. #HarHarMahadev"