Kaantha Enjoys Healthy Growth on Second Day
Dulquer Salmaan's highly anticipated period drama, Kaantha, is demonstrating a promising upward trend at the Indian box office. After a solid opening day, the film witnessed a significant jump in its collections on the second day, Saturday, indicating positive word-of-mouth from audiences.
Detailed Box Office Breakdown
According to data from the industry tracker Sacnilk, Kaantha earned Rs 4.35 crore on its opening day. The film built on this foundation on Day 2, registering an impressive 11.49% growth to collect approximately Rs 4.85 crore. This brings the total domestic box office collection for the Selvamani Selvaraj-directed film to Rs 9.20 crore within just two days.
The film's performance was bolstered by its occupancy rates, particularly for the Tamil version. On Saturday, the Tamil version recorded an overall occupancy of 27.37%. The audience turnout saw a steady increase as the day progressed:
- Morning shows: 15.78%
- Afternoon shows: 27.23%
- Evening shows: 25.31%
- Night shows: 41.15%
The Telugu version of the film also contributed to the earnings, registering an overall occupancy of 18.05% on the same day.
Global Success and Production Details
The film's success is not confined to the domestic market. The production houses behind Kaantha, Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films and Rana Daggubati's Spirit Media, recently announced a major milestone. The film has already collected over Rs 10.5 crore worldwide on its opening day itself, underscoring its pan-India appeal and strong start globally.
While the film was initially the subject of speculation that it was based on the life of M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the first superstar of Tamil cinema, the makers have clearly stated that Kaantha is a work of fiction. The project did face a legal challenge from Bhagavathar's grandson, who alleged a negative portrayal of his grandfather, but the film has proceeded with its release.
Looking ahead, the digital rights for Kaantha have been acquired by Netflix. Fans who missed the theatrical experience or wish to re-watch the film can expect it to begin streaming on the platform approximately four weeks after its run in cinemas.
