As Suriya’s much-anticipated period action film Kanguva gears up for its grand release on November 14, all eyes are on the film’s box office performance. With a massive budget and star-studded cast, the stakes are high. While producer KE Gnanavel Raja has confidently claimed that Kanguva could rake in a mind-blowing Rs 2000 crore globally, trade experts are taking a more measured approach, with early predictions suggesting a solid, but more conservative opening.
Career-Best Opening for Suriya
Kanguva marks a pivotal moment in Suriya’s career. After a mix of successes and setbacks in recent years, this high-budget historical action drama is expected to deliver his career-best opening. According to trade expert Ramesh Bala, Kanguva is set for a strong debut, with early projections estimating an opening day collection of around Rs 60 crore globally.
“This will be a career-best opening for Suriya,” Bala explains. “Compared to his previous theatrical release, Etharkkum Thunindhavan (2022), Kanguva will earn two to three times the collection, especially with its grand scale and wider appeal.”
Soft Opening, But Strong Weekend Growth
While Kanguva is expected to enjoy a strong opening weekend, Bala notes that the film may experience a soft opening on Day 1 due to its release on a Thursday, which typically results in lower footfalls. Furthermore, the delay in advance bookings at multiplexes, particularly in key markets like Tamil Nadu and Chennai, could affect the immediate box office numbers.
However, Bala is optimistic about the film’s momentum picking up over the weekend, as Kanguva is positioned to perform well across multiple regions, especially once word-of-mouth spreads.
Regional Buzz and International Appeal
The film has already made a strong impression in Kerala, where the advance booking has been robust. With the film earning approximately Rs 2 crore from pre-sales in Kerala alone, the state’s cinema halls are bracing for a massive response. Bala adds, “The buzz is huge, and there’s immense pressure on 3D tickets, which indicates strong demand.”
The film has also seen decent pre-release sales in Karnataka, though its performance in the Hindi market has been more muted despite aggressive promotions. Bala points out that South films typically take time to gain traction in the North, unless they have the mass appeal of films like KGF 2, RRR, or Baahubali 2.
With an expected Rs 25 crore collection in Tamil Nadu and Rs 40 crore across India on Day 1, Kanguva is poised to collect approximately Rs 60–70 crore globally, depending on international markets. “The overseas business is also promising, with half a million dollars (around Rs 5 crore) already in the bag from advance bookings,” Bala adds.
Can Kanguva Hit Rs 2000 Crore?
Producer KE Gnanavel Raja’s bold claim of Kanguva reaching Rs 2000 crore globally is certainly ambitious. While Bala believes that the film has strong potential, he remains cautious, stating, “To be honest, we can’t really say if it will collect Rs 1000 crore. The trailer had a mixed response, and much will depend on how the reviews come in. Since Kanguva is the first part of a two-part series, audiences will likely wait to see how the film fares before fully committing to ticket sales.”
While the opening numbers look promising, Bala suggests that the film could face stiff competition, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where Siva Karthikeyan’s Amaran is currently dominating the box office. “Amaran is performing exceptionally well, so Kanguva may only get around 500 screens in Tamil Nadu, with an additional 300 screens allocated to Amaran. That’s a bit of a challenge, but Kanguva could catch up over time if its word-of-mouth is strong,” he explains.
The Long Road Ahead
While Kanguva might not immediately reach the towering Rs 2000 crore mark, its grand scale, star power, and wide international appeal could make it a massive success over time. Featuring Suriya in dual roles, Kanguva is a period drama set across two timelines, with Disha Patani and Bobby Deol in pivotal roles. Additionally, the film’s soundtrack by Devi Sri Prasad and a cameo by Karthi have heightened anticipation.
In conclusion, Kanguva looks set for a solid opening with potential for strong growth over the weekend, but whether it can truly hit the Rs 1000 crore milestone—or even come close to the Rs 2000 crore mark—remains to be seen. Fans are eagerly awaiting the release, and as Bala puts it, “It all depends on how the audience reacts and if the word-of-mouth is positive.”
With everything riding on this high-stakes project, Kanguva could well be the turning point in Suriya’s career, reigniting his box office magic.
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