Directed by Sekhar Kammula and starring pan-India sensation Dhanush and Nagarjuna along with Rashmika Mandanna, the eagerly-awaited crime thriller Kuber is set to hit the screens on June 20, 2025. With its gripping premise—the rise of a beggar in the criminal underworld—as well as a bilingual release in Telugu and Tamil, the film has garnered a lot of buzz ahead of its release. As trade analysts and fans speculate on its opening day potential, early estimates suggest that Kuber could earn up to ₹15 crore across India on its first day.
Pre-release buzz and advance booking
Advance booking provides the first solid indicator of audience interest. According to trade reports, pre-release ticket sales have already crossed the ₹4 crore mark, driven largely by the film’s strong promotional campaign and the superstar appeal of its leads. This figure is significantly higher than the usual advance sales for a medium-budget Tamil or Telugu release, setting Kuber up for a strong performance on day one.
Expert predictions and early trade estimates
Industry trackers have weighed in with varying predictions on day one:
Koimoi has predicted an opening collection of ₹7-9 crore, driven primarily by viewership in Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states, though it also noted that a double-digit opening across India is not guaranteed.
Money control reiterated these figures, estimating ₹7-9 crore under normal circumstances, but cautioned that strong word-of-mouth from the first show could push the collection past the ₹10 crore mark.
These estimates, while conservative, reflect the relatively moderate scale of the film compared to mega-blockbusters. However, they also leave room for upward revisions if evening and late-night shows exceed expectations.
Comparative case studies
To put these forecasts in context, it is useful to compare recent similar films:
Raayan (Dhanush, 2024): Opened at ₹13.65 crore thanks to good viewership and positive critical reception in the Tamil language.
Kushi (Allu Arjun-Pooja Hegde, 2023): Opened at ₹8.5 crore but picked up over the weekend thanks to family appeal.
Vikram (Kamal Haasan, 2023): A pan-India hit that opened at ₹26 crore, though it was on a much bigger scale in terms of budget and star power.
By these yardsticks, a ₹10-12 crore opening for Kuber would be respectable. Still, given the combined star power of Dhanush and Nagarjuna – each of whom has devoted fans in different regions – the film has the potential to come in the ₹15 crore bracket, especially if it garners strong occupancies at multiplexes outside its core markets.
Factors that could take it to ₹15 crore
Several dynamics could take Kuber above the ₹10 crore threshold:
Pan-India appeal: Nagarjuna’s enduring popularity in the Telugu states and Dhanush’s growing footprint in Hindi and other south Indian markets could translate into cross-regional gains.
Weekend boost: A Friday release positions the film to take advantage of Saturday-Sunday audiences; strong word-of-mouth on the first day could boost weekend traction.
Critical reception: Early reviews have been largely positive, with particular praise for the screenplay and acting – a factor that often drives last-minute ticket purchases. Limited competition: With no major releases in the Tamil/Telugu belt this weekend, Kuber enjoys a clear race for screens and screen time. All these elements taken together lead to an optimistic forecast that the film could "earn around ₹15
crore on its opening day across India". Initial actual and real-time adjustments By mid-evening of the first day, box office trackers like Saccanilk are reporting a net collection of close to ₹12.98 crore from Indian theatres - which is already challenging early conservative estimates. If evening shows maintain a similar pace, the ₹15 crore mark is easily within reach. Conclusion Though initial trade forecasts were in the range of ₹7-9 crore, a confluence
of strong advance bookings, favourable reviews and pan-India star power has made Kuber likely to cross ₹15 crore on its opening day. As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on how fast the crime drama's fame spreads - and whether it is able to sustain this promising start into a long-term successful theatrical run.
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