Sekhar Kammula’s Kubera, the big pan-Indian thriller starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, and Rashmika Mandanna, is all set to hit theaters tomorrow, June 20, 2025. But here’s the thing—advance bookings in Tamil Nadu are looking pretty weak, marking one of Dhanush’s softest pre-release showings in the state in over a decade. Despite the hype around its gritty trailer and killer cast, the film’s struggling to get Tamil fans to BookMyShow. Here’s why Kuberaa’s off to a rocky start in Tamil Nadu and what might help it bounce back.
Why’s Tamil Nadu So Quiet?
The trailer, which dropped on June 15 at a huge Hyderabad event, got everyone pumped with its intense story about a 10,000-crore scam, featuring Nagarjuna as a straight-arrow government officer and Dhanush as a clever beggar shaking things up. But in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai, ticket sales are way below expectations. Trade folks say it’s one of Dhanush’s weakest pre-release numbers since 2013, nowhere near his recent hits like Raayan (₹6.2 crore in pre-sales) or Captain Miller (₹3.9 crore). Some think Tamil audiences might see Kuberaa as a Telugu-focused flick, even though it’s a Tamil-Telugu bilingual, which could be causing the confusion.
Meanwhile, things are looking better in Telugu regions, where Kuberaa’s topping BookMyShow charts with over 12,000 tickets sold in just 24 hours. Telugu fans are all in, thanks to Sekhar Kammula’s rep for emotional bangers like Fidaa and Love Story, plus Nagarjuna’s star power. Overseas, the U.S. is showing love too, with advance bookings jumping 239% to $115,763 (₹1 crore) across 350 spots, moving 6,629 tickets. It’s a sign Dhanush’s global pull is still strong, but Tamil Nadu’s lagging behind.
What’s Holding It Back?
A few things might be slowing Kuberaa down in Tamil Nadu. The marketing hasn’t fully clicked with Dhanush’s local fanbase—some say the trailer, while epic, lacks the catchy songs or high-energy hooks that usually get his crowd rushing to theaters. Plus, the vibe of a Telugu director like Kammula at the helm might make some Tamil fans think it’s not “their” movie. Add to that a messy pre-release event in Hyderabad that fans called a “disaster” for poor planning, and a delay in Andhra Pradesh bookings over a ₹50 ticket price hike approval, and the hype’s taken a hit. Oh, and June’s packed with big releases like Sitaare Zameen Par and DNA, splitting everyone’s attention.
Can It Make a Comeback?
There’s still hope for Kuberaa. Telugu bookings are solid, and trade folks are betting on an 8-10 crore opening day share in India, thanks to Nagarjuna, Rashmika, and Kammula’s storytelling magic. Early buzz from insiders, like Romeo Pictures’ CEO Rahul, calls it “raw, intense, and powerful,” and the U/A rating with a trimmed 3-hour-1-minute runtime keeps it crowd-friendly. If Tamil Nadu fans show up over the weekend, especially with Dhanush’s killer role as Deva, the tide could turn. His fanbase is loyal, and word-of-mouth could spark a surge.
The film’s hitting 1,600 screens across Tamil, Telugu Zhu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, and its story about wealth gaps and corruption is striking a chord. Amazon Prime Video’s got the streaming rights for a post-theater drop, probably in late July or August, giving it a second life. With Inox and PVR bookings about to open, urban centers could give it a boost too.
What’s Next?
Kuberaa’s weak Tamil Nadu pre-sales are a bit of a shocker for a Dhanush film, but with strong Telugu and overseas traction, plus Sekhar Kammula’s knack for deep, engaging stories, it’s got a shot at flipping the script. The 400-450 crore production needs a big opening to justify its budget, and it’ll come down to walk-in crowds and reviews. Will Dhanush and Nagarjuna pull Tamil fans to theaters? Head to BookMyShow for tickets and find out tomorrow, June 20! Keep up with OTTplay for updates on Kuberaa’s box office run and other hot releases.
Source: M9News