‘Kannappa’ Box Office Day 3: Vishnu Manchu-Starrer Crosses ₹23 Crore in Opening Weekend

Vishnu Manchu’s mythological epic Kannappa is off to a strong start at the box office, crossing ₹23.75 crore net in India during its opening weekend. Released this past Friday, the multilingual film has been drawing steady footfalls, particularly in Telugu-speaking regions.

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Kannappa collected ₹7.25 crore on Day 3 (Sunday), recovering from a minor dip on Saturday (₹7.15 crore). The film had opened with an impressive ₹9.35 crore, making it the best weekend opening in Vishnu Manchu’s career.

Regional Performance and Occupancy

The Telugu version led the charge, contributing ₹8.25 crore on opening day. By Sunday, Telugu occupancy remained strong at nearly 40%, peaking above 50% during afternoon and evening shows. In Tamil Nadu, the film registered 24.11% overall occupancy, while the Hindi version clocked 22.71%, with evening shows hitting over 33%. The Malayalam version saw limited traction at 5.82% but performed better in select urban centres.

Star Power & Cameos

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, Kannappa stars Vishnu Manchu as Thinna, a tribal hunter whose spiritual transformation into a devoted follower of Lord Shiva forms the crux of the narrative. The film also features high-profile cameos: Prabhas as Rudra, Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, Kajal Aggarwal as Goddess Parvati, and Mohanlal as Kirata.

The ensemble cast includes industry veterans like Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Preity Mukhundhan, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmaji, and Brahmanandam.

Early Reactions & Reviews

Initial audience response has been mixed to positive. While some viewers noted slow pacing in the first half, many praised the final 40 minutes as emotionally impactful. Vishnu Manchu’s performance has received commendation for its intensity and sincerity, particularly his character’s emotional arc.

Prabhas’s appearance as Rudra was widely appreciated, bringing a boost of gravitas to the second half. Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal’s brief appearances also left a strong impression.

Behind-the-Scenes Decisions

In a recent press interaction in Hyderabad, Vishnu Manchu revealed that several scenes were cut during post-production due to subpar VFX quality. He credited director Mukesh Kumar Singh and editor Anthony for prioritizing quality over quantity, ensuring the visual storytelling remained effective.

Prabhas also took to Instagram to support the film, writing, "Kannappa arrives on the big screen. The epic tale of a man who gave more than his life—he gave his vision and soul."

As Kannappa continues its theatrical run, all eyes are on whether the film can sustain its momentum into the week.