Despite its grand mythological theme and a star-studded cast, Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu, has hit a rough patch at the box office. Following a strong opening weekend, the film has reportedly seen a sharp decline in audience turnout, leading to the cancellation of multiple shows across several regions.
Initially released on June 27, 2025, Kannappa generated significant buzz thanks to cameo appearances by Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. The film opened to decent numbers, collecting ₹9.35 crore on Day 1 across languages. However, by Day 4, collections had dipped drastically to just ₹55 lakhs, with occupancy rates falling below 15% in most territories.
The weekday slump has forced several theaters, particularly in the Telugu and Hindi belts, to cancel underperforming shows. In some multiplexes, morning and matinee screenings were either merged or removed altogether due to empty halls. This comes as a surprise given the film’s high production value and pan-India appeal.
Trade analysts suggest that while the film’s visual grandeur and devotional theme attracted initial footfall, mixed reviews and a sluggish narrative may have contributed to the drop. With no early OTT release planned—Vishnu Manchu confirmed a 10-week theatrical window—the film’s recovery now hinges on strong word of mouth and weekend family audiences.
As the mythological epic navigates this unexpected dip, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Kannappa can regain momentum or fade from the marquee sooner than expected.