Box Office Clash: Kannappa Roars Past Kajol’s Maa on Opening Day

Entrtainment News:The mythological epic Kannappa made a thunderous start at the box office, earning approximately ₹9 crore on its opening day and emerging as the top performer. Starring Vishnu Manchu and featuring cameos by Prabhas and Akshay Kumar, the film attracted large crowds with its devotional storyline and grand visuals. In contrast, Kajol’s horror drama Maa opened to a modest ₹4.5 crore, reflecting a more restrained audience response. The clear gap in collections signals viewers’ preference for visually rich, large-scale narratives over psychological horror in this weekend’s theatrical showdown.

Kannappa Leads With Power Start

Vishnu Manchu’s ambitious mythological film Kannappa opened to packed cinemas and earned approximately ₹9 crore on its first day across India. The film, which features cameos by stars like Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar, gained traction through word-of-mouth and high advance bookings, especially in South India. The storyline rooted in devotion and legend appealed to both young viewers and traditional audiences. Critics lauded the film’s visuals and grand production scale. With such a start, Kannappa is expected to dominate weekend charts.

‘Maa’ Holds Steady Debut

Despite facing stiff competition, Kajol’s horror film Maa managed a respectable ₹4.5 crore on Day 1. The psychological thriller has been praised for Kajol’s performance and its moody, suspenseful atmosphere. However, limited screens and the presence of bigger-budget rivals like Kannappa and Hollywood’s F1 dampened its breakout potential. Analysts say Maa may benefit from late-night shows and word-of-mouth buzz among horror fans, but it needs a strong Saturday jump to stay in the race.

Hollywood’s ‘F1’ Enters Race

Brad Pitt’s high-octane sports drama F1 debuted to ₹5.25 crore in Indian markets, making it a dark horse in this three-way box office battle. While F1 caters to a niche audience, its global appeal, star power, and sleek racing sequences attracted urban viewers. In metros like Mumbai and Bengaluru, F1 posted higher occupancy than Maa, particularly in premium formats. Still, Kannappa remained unaffected due to its culturally rooted appeal.

Star Power Drives Kannappa

Kannappa’s surprise strength lies in its ensemble cast and emotional depth. The film’s devotional tone, powerful visuals, and limited-time cameos by fan-favorite actors have generated buzz across platforms. Akshay Kumar and Prabhas’ guest appearances were particularly appreciated by fans. Telugu states gave the film a solid start, with ticket price hikes also helping boost its gross collection. Trade insiders expect the film to touch ₹30 crore over its opening weekend.

Competition Shapes Audience Flow

With Kannappa offering grandeur and Maa delivering thrills, audiences are split based on genre preference. Families and older viewers are leaning toward the mythological film, while younger crowds are curious about Kajol’s bold horror comeback. Meanwhile, F1 is picking up in premium screens, drawing viewers looking for action without emotional intensity. The mix of genres has created a dynamic weekend market.

Weekend Forecast Looks Promising

All three films are projected to benefit from the weekend. Kannappa might cross ₹25–30 crore if it maintains current momentum. Maa could stabilize at ₹12 crore by Sunday if positive reviews drive footfalls. F1, with limited shows, may settle around ₹10 crore. Advance bookings for Saturday and Sunday show promising trends, especially for Kannappa in the South and F1 in cities.

Trade Buzz and Audience Reaction

Trade analysts call Kannappa a “sleeper blockbuster” that’s defying Bollywood dominance. Maa is seen as a well-made niche film that needs staying power. Early audience reactions indicate satisfaction across the board, but only the weekend will confirm which film wins the long run. For now, the mythological epic has the edge in this cinematic showdown.