Kannappa, Real Test Begins Now!

Manchu Vishnu’s ambitious project Kannappa has wrapped up its first weekend with a fairly decent performance. While it may not have posted record-breaking numbers, the film did witness strong occupancy in key urban centers, especially during the afternoon and evening shows, which were almost full in several locations.

Thanks to its devotional theme and Prabhas’ cameo, Kannappa is now on track to become the highest-grossing film of Vishnu’s career. Trade circles estimate the film’s three-day gross could fall anywhere between ₹50 to ₹60 crore, though exact figures are still awaited.

However, the real challenge starts now. Weekdays are typically a slowdown period for theatres, and only strong films manage to hold 50% or more of their weekend momentum. The big question is: can Kannappa do that? It’s difficult to expect a long theatrical run based solely on Prabhas’ brief appearance. That kind of hype may draw fans for a one-time watch, but sustaining the momentum depends on attracting general audiences, especially mass and family crowds.

Given its devotional content, the film may not appeal to all sections of the audience. Adding to that, Vishnu himself revealed that piracy issues have already begun, which could further impact collections.

On ticketing platforms like BookMyShow, Kannappa ranked fourth yesterday, behind Sitare Zameen Par, F1, and Maa. While Kannappa sold 92,000 tickets, Maa with mixed reviews sold 96,000, and F1 clocked in at 99,000. Meanwhile, Sitare Zameen Par surged ahead with over 2 lakh tickets.