The much-anticipated mythological film Kannappa starring Vishnu Manchu has opened to a grand reception at the Indian box office. On its first day, the film earned an impressive ₹9 crore, setting a new benchmark for mythological dramas released this year. Kannappa has not only lived up to the pre-release buzz but has also managed to outperform new releases like Maa and F1 by a significant margin. This strong opening marks a remarkable comeback for the mythological genre in Indian cinema, especially in the Telugu film industry, where the movie has witnessed overwhelming support from audiences.
Vishnu Manchu’s Passion Project Strikes Gold
Actor-producer Vishnu Manchu, who has long dreamt of bringing the story of Kannappa, the legendary devotee of Lord Shiva, to the big screen, has finally seen his vision come to life. The film, which has been in development for several years, was released on June 27, 2025, in multiple Indian languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada. The narrative, which blends devotion, action, and spiritual transformation, clearly resonated with the audience.
The movie explores the transformation of a tribal hunter into one of the most devoted followers of Lord Shiva, and Vishnu Manchu’s portrayal of Kannappa has been widely appreciated. His dedication, both as an actor and a producer, has played a key role in ensuring that the movie opened to packed theatres across the country.
Strong Box Office Performance Across Regions
On its opening day, Kannappa registered strong numbers across various regions of India. The film performed best in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it collected ₹7.2 crore, thanks to massive fan support, high screen count, and strong word-of-mouth promotion. It also did fairly well in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, collecting around ₹1.1 crore, while its Hindi and overseas market collections stood at ₹0.7 crore, bringing the total gross to ₹9 crore.
This robust start indicates that Kannappa has the potential to become one of the highest-grossing mythological films of 2025 if it maintains this momentum through the weekend and beyond.
Beating the Odds: Outperforming ‘Maa’ and ‘F1’
Two other films, Maa and F1, also hit theatres this week, but neither could match the scale and excitement surrounding Kannappa. While Maa, a social drama with a female-oriented storyline, managed to earn only around ₹2.3 crore on its first day, F1, a romantic action movie, opened slightly better at ₹3.1 crore. However, both were clearly overshadowed by Kannappa’s record-breaking opening, which was almost three times higher.
Industry experts are now predicting that Kannappa will continue to dominate the box office over the weekend, especially with limited competition in its genre and strong public feedback.
Resurgence of the Mythological Genre
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of mythological films making a comeback in Indian cinema. Movies like Adipurush, Shaakuntalam, and HanuMan attempted to revive this genre with varying levels of success. However, with Kannappa, the mythological narrative seems to have found its perfect balance between spiritual storytelling and modern cinematic appeal.
The use of advanced VFX, gripping screenplay, and emotionally engaging content in Kannappa has helped it reach a wider audience, including younger viewers who are not traditionally inclined towards religious stories.
Vishnu Manchu Delivers Career-Defining Performance
At the heart of Kannappa is the powerful performance by Vishnu Manchu, who brings depth, strength, and emotion to the titular character. His portrayal of Kannappa’s transformation—from a fierce hunter to a humble devotee—struck a chord with audiences.
Critics have praised Vishnu’s commanding screen presence, physique, and his ability to carry the emotional weight of the film. Many fans believe this could be one of the most defining roles of his career, giving him a solid identity beyond commercial action roles.
Positive Word-of-Mouth Drives Audience Interest
One of the key reasons for Kannappa’s strong opening is the positive word-of-mouth generated after the first day of shows. Early viewers took to social media to praise the film’s emotional impact, grand visuals, and inspirational message. Many called it a “divine cinematic experience” that stayed true to its spiritual core while still being entertaining.
The visuals, particularly the depiction of Lord Shiva, were described as awe-inspiring, and the background music by Mani Sharma was noted for enhancing the dramatic and devotional scenes. Such organic promotions are likely to boost the movie’s performance significantly over the weekend.
Pan-India Appeal with Regional Strength
Though the Telugu-speaking audience forms the core of Kannappa’s fanbase, the film’s pan-India release strategy has helped expand its reach. By releasing the film in five major Indian languages, the makers ensured that it appealed to diverse regional audiences.
In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the film is slowly gaining momentum, while in the Hindi belt, where mythological cinema has a niche audience, the presence of Prabhas in a cameo as Lord Shiva has drawn attention. The film’s spiritual tone and visually rich storytelling are helping it attract family audiences, especially in the evening and weekend shows.
Advance Bookings and Occupancy Rates
The advance booking trend for Kannappa was quite strong, with several shows sold out in cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam. Theatres reported 75-85% occupancy, particularly for the evening and night shows on Day 1. The strong response has prompted exhibitors to increase the number of shows for the weekend, expecting a surge in footfall.
Trade analysts predict that if the current trend holds, Kannappa could reach ₹30–35 crore gross by the end of Sunday, making it one of the biggest weekend grossers of the year in Telugu cinema.
High Production Value and Technical Brilliance
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa stands out for its top-notch technical execution. The film’s visual effects, costume design, and location setups reflect a commitment to delivering a grand spiritual experience. Shot across picturesque locations in India, the film has created a visually majestic world, rich in culture and tradition.
The soundtrack, composed by Stephen Devassy, and the background score, crafted by Mani Sharma, enhance the emotional and devotional aspects of the movie, helping viewers connect more deeply with the characters and the spiritual journey.
Star-Studded Supporting Cast and Special Appearances
Apart from Vishnu Manchu, Kannappa features a stellar supporting cast, including Mohan Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Mukesh Rishi, Murali Sharma, and Ashutosh Rana. Each actor adds depth to the narrative, playing crucial roles in shaping Kannappa’s journey.
One of the film’s biggest highlights is a special appearance by superstar Prabhas as Lord Shiva, which received loud cheers from the audience. His presence is not only a marketing masterstroke but also a spiritual catalyst in the film’s plot.
Weekend Predictions and Future Expectations
Given the strong opening, Kannappa is expected to have an excellent weekend run. If the positive reviews and high occupancy continue, the film could easily cross the ₹35 crore mark by Sunday night. The film has minimal competition in its genre, and with school holidays in effect, the timing is perfect to attract family audiences and devotional movie lovers.
There are also talks that if the movie sustains its run over the next two weeks, it could reach the coveted ₹100 crore club, which would solidify its status as a blockbuster success and inspire more mythological films in Indian cinema.
Kannappa has arrived with the strength of faith, storytelling, and cinematic excellence. With its ₹9 crore opening day, it has made a powerful statement about the audience’s growing appetite for spiritual and culturally rich narratives. Vishnu Manchu’s dream project is now being celebrated across theatres, not just as a movie, but as a devotional experience that touches hearts.As the weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the box office numbers, but one thing is clear: Kannappa has already won the hearts of its audience, and its journey is just beginning.
