Kannappa, led by Vishnu Manchu with appearances by Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Prabhas, began its advance booking in India and the United States this week, just 48 hours ahead of its theatrical release. As ticket sales begin, the film remains far behind Dhanush‘s Kuberaa box office performance in the U.S., raising questions about its upcoming launch.
Advance Sales Numbers Show Large Gap in US Box Office
Kannappa secured advanced ticket sales of $10,300 for premieres in 263 U.S. locations, selling only 486 tickets so far. With two days left before the American debut, industry observers are doubtful that Kannappa will match or surpass the pre-release ticket sales achieved by Dhanush’s Kuberaa. The comparison highlights that Dhanush’s film, starring Nagarjuna, managed to generate an advance of $193,250 at the box office for its premiere, with Kannappa’s advance representing just 5.3% of Kuberaa’s achievement.
Domestic Response in India Remains Muted
Within India, Kannappa managed to sell approximately 4,200 tickets during the afternoon booking window from 1 PM to 5 PM. Early indicators suggest momentum is modest, and the film’s prospects hinge on whether audience interest gains traction on the eve of release. As ticket sales progress slowly, both distributors and fans are closely watching to see if the domestic market will show more enthusiasm.
Production Details and Ensemble Cast
Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa centers on a dramatic transformation as an atheist hunter becomes a devoted follower of Lord Shiva. The cast features Vishnu Manchu in the leading role, alongside a strong supporting lineup including Mohan Babu, Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji, Siva Balaji, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan, and Madhoo. Akshay Kumar portrays Lord Shiva, Mohanlal takes the role of the guru, and Prabhas features as a devoted follower. The official synopsis describes the journey with,
“An atheist hunter, Kannappa, becomes a devotee of Lord Shiva and plucks out his eyes in an act of devotion.”
—Mukesh Kumar Singh, Director
Contextualizing the Box Office Estimates
It is important to recognize that all box office numbers provided are based on current industry estimates and multiple sources and have not been independently validated by authorities such as Koimoi. The early U.S. box office figures, as well as India’s initial response, may fluctuate as the film launches and more audiences weigh in.
Significance of Advance Sales Ahead of Industry Releases
The tepid advance sales for Kannappa, especially when measured against Dhanush’s Kuberaa box office performance, hint at a challenging debut in North American markets for Telugu language films. As the release nears, industry analysts, cast members like Vishnu Manchu and Akshay Kumar, and fans alike are waiting to see if the film can generate momentum and overcome its sluggish start.