Vishnu Manchu’s ambitious mythological epic, Kannappa, is kicking off with a bang at the Indian box office, raking in an impressive ₹18.75 crore in just its first two days. Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, the film is creating quite a stir, not just for its heartfelt storyline but also for its star-studded cameos, especially that of pan-India sensation Prabhas, which has clearly resonated well in Telugu-speaking areas.
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Join Telegram ChannelThe film draws from the legendary tale of Bhakta Kannappa, a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, and it beautifully weaves together myth, grandeur, and deep emotion. While Vishnu Manchu takes center stage, the project has certainly caught attention thanks to special appearances from big names like Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. These cameos, particularly Prabhas’s, are credited with luring audiences into theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where most of the film’s earnings have been generated.
On its opening day, Kannappa pulled in ₹10.75 crore, followed by ₹8 crore on the second day — a slight 25% drop, but still a solid performance. The total of ₹18.75 crore includes ₹13.75 crore from the Telugu heartland: ₹6.25 crore from Nizam, ₹2 crore from Ceded, and ₹5.5 crore from Andhra. The rest of India contributed around ₹5 crore, showing a modest performance outside the main market.
While these numbers are strong for a film led by Vishnu Manchu, trade analysts point out that expectations were a bit higher given the film’s scale and the involvement of such big stars. With its grand visuals and religious themes, the film had the potential to attract a wider national audience. However, mixed reactions and reviews from viewers might be slowing its momentum.
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Industry insiders are optimistic that the film’s opening weekend could exceed ₹25 crore if it maintains its momentum on Sunday. The excitement around the film’s devotional theme and Prabhas’s captivating presence is helping to keep audiences coming in, especially in single-screen theaters and smaller towns, where these kinds of stories really resonate.
Even with the mixed reviews, Kannappa marks an important milestone for Vishnu Manchu, who has been aiming for grand cinematic experiences for quite a while. How the film performs in the upcoming week will be crucial in determining if it can stand strong against new releases and justify its production costs.
For now, Kannappa is a unique mythological offering in a commercial film scene that’s largely filled with action-packed dramas and biopics. Its initial box office numbers indicate that there’s still a demand for devotional narratives, particularly when they come with star power and a touch of grandeur.
