Kuberaa Day 1 Box Office Collection Starts Strong But Falls Short of Raayan’s Opening Day Record
Sekhar Kammula’s much-awaited thriller Kuberaa, featuring powerhouse performers Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna, launched to a solid opening across India. According to early estimates by trade analysts, the box office collection for day 1 stands at ₹12.98 crore. While this is an impressive total, it fell slightly below the day 1 figure for Dhanush’s previous release, Raayan, which had earned ₹15.7 crore.
Despite trailing in comparison, the makers are optimistic. Given the positive critical reception and enthusiastic fan response, Kuberaa’s box office momentum is expected to pick up sharply over the weekend.
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Audience Response and Critical Reviews Highlight Dhanush’s Career-Best Performance in Kuberaa
One of the most talked-about elements of this film is Dhanush’s gripping performance as Deva, a beggar caught in a web of crime and corruption. Critics and audiences alike are praising his transformation and depth of character, calling it one of the most powerful portrayals of his career.
At Rohini Silver Screens in Chennai, Dhanush and his son Linga watched the first-day-first-show alongside hundreds of fans. Videos circulating on social media show fans scaling walls and crowding outside to get a glimpse of the actor. His emotional reaction to the outpouring of love captured the raw connection the audience has with his work.
Kuberaa Sees Mixed Occupancy Trends Across Regions with Higher Footfall in Evening Shows
The pan-India release saw Telugu regions leading the pack in terms of theater occupancy. According to data, Kuberaa recorded a 50.19% overall occupancy in Telugu-speaking areas. Morning shows started with a modest 38.94%, but audience numbers rose significantly through the day, hitting 54.58% in the afternoon and peaking at 57.04% by evening.
This trend indicates a strong word-of-mouth effect, suggesting that positive reviews and public sentiment are gradually pulling more viewers into theaters.
Pan-India Strategy and International Premieres Push Kuberaa Beyond Regional Boundaries
Kuberaa released in multiple Indian languages including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, marking it as a true pan-India release. The multilingual rollout helped expand its reach and drew crowds from various regions.
Overseas, the film made a notable impact too. North America premiere shows grossed over $450,000, showcasing Dhanush’s rising global popularity. The international response further reinforces the potential of it’s box office collection to grow steadily in the coming days.
A Closer Look at the Star Cast and Their Characters in Kuberaa
Directed by Sekhar Kammula, Kuberaa presents a layered and intense narrative centered on crime, betrayal, and survival. The plot follows Deva, a beggar who gets pulled into an illegal oil racket, revealing a hidden world of corruption.
- Dhanush plays the lead role with remarkable realism.
- Nagarjuna returns to screens as a disgraced CBI officer.
- Rashmika Mandanna impresses with a strong female character pivotal to the storyline.
- Jim Sarbh shines as a manipulative corporate villain.
Together, the cast delivers a powerful ensemble performance that keeps viewers glued to their seats.
CBFC Cuts and Runtime Reduction Trim the Film by Over 13 Minutes Before Theatrical Release
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approved the film with a UA certificate, but only after requesting 19 specific scene cuts. The trimming shortened the film by approximately 13 minutes and 41 seconds, ensuring a tighter and more commercially viable runtime.
Despite the edits, Kuberaa still delivers a compelling narrative, filled with tension, twists, and high-stakes drama that spans slums, oil refineries, and the corridors of power.
Kuberaa’s Music, Direction, and Technical Brilliance Enhance Its Cinematic Impact
The film’s soundtrack, composed by Devi Sri Prasad (DSP), adds emotional depth and rhythm to the storytelling. His collaboration with Dhanush has produced memorable tracks in the past, and Kuberaa’s music continues that legacy.
Director Sekhar Kammula, known for his feel-good dramas like Fidaa and Happy Days, takes a daring turn into the crime genre with Kuberaa. His new visual language, realistic tone, and sharp screenplay reflect his evolution as a filmmaker.
Weekend Box Office Predictions Show Positive Trends for Kuberaa Amid Competition
With Friday’s performance laying the foundation, Kuberaa box office collection could see significant growth over the weekend. Analysts expect a steady increase in numbers, particularly from South India and metro cities.
However, competition from Hindi-language film Sitaare Zameen Par, starring Aamir Khan, and international releases like 28 Years Later may limit its reach in certain circuits. Despite that, Kuberaa’s strong start and loyal fan base may help it stay resilient at the box office.
Kuberaa is off to a promising start. With Dhanush’s standout performance, a bold directorial vision, and solid initial collections, the film has the potential to become one of the top-grossing Telugu releases of the year. If weekend numbers rise as predicted, Kuberaa box office collection might surpass Raayan’s overall total and continue its winning streak across multiple territories.
