Kannappa Makes a Steady Box Office Start: Here’s a Deep Dive into the Opening Collections and Audience Reactions

Manchu Vishnu’s much-awaited mythological drama Kannappa, featuring star-studded cameos by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, and Mohanlal, has officially hit the theatres amid high anticipation. Released on June 27, 2025, the film, directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu, has opened to positive reviews and a promising box office response.

Early estimates for the first day suggest that Kannappa has collected a worldwide gross ranging between ₹18 to ₹20 crore, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana contributing ₹10 to ₹12 crore of this total[1]. However, there is some discrepancy in reports, with other sources citing India net collections at ₹3.65 crore by 3 pm, and a later figure of ₹4.89 crore recorded, indicating a steady climb throughout the day[2][5]. A few outlets reported a worldwide opening of ₹8.95 crore, but this appears to be inconsistent with multiple trade estimates that favor the ₹18–20 crore range[3].

The film is currently positioned as the 8th highest Telugu opening of 2025, falling below heavyweights like Gamechanger (₹90 crore), Daaku Maharaaj (₹50 crore), and Sankranthiki Vasthunam (₹44 crore), but ranks above several other notable releases[1]. Despite not breaking into the top five openers of the year, Kannappa is expected to see a spike in collections over the weekend, thanks to positive word-of-mouth and the presence of major stars in pivotal cameo roles[5].

Audience and critics alike have lauded Manchu Vishnu’s performance, particularly highlighting the emotional crescendo in the film’s final act. Trade analyst Sumit Kadel described Vishnu’s performance as “top-notch,” emphasizing the impact of the last 30 minutes, which many are calling a career-defining moment for the actor[5]. Prabhas’s cameo as Rudra and Akshay Kumar’s portrayal of Lord Shiva have also been well-received, though some viewers noted a slower pace in the first half and modest production values as minor drawbacks[5].

Overall, Kannappa is shaping up to be a respectable performer at the box office, with its devotional narrative and star power likely to sustain its momentum in the coming days.