Sekhar Kammula’s Kuberaa, the pan-Indian social thriller starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh, is generating serious buzz ahead of its global release on June 20, 2025. As the film gears up for its USA premiere, final advance sales figures are in, painting an impressive picture of growing excitement among North American audiences. With a reported 239% surge in ticket sales in the final days, Kuberaa is poised for a solid opening in the U.S. market. Here’s a look at the numbers and what they mean for this ambitious crime drama.
Final Advance Sales: A Big Jump
According to trade sources, Kuberaa’s USA premiere advance sales closed at $193,253 across 403 locations with 803 shows, selling 11,068 tickets as of June 19, 2025. Total North American premiere pre-sales hit $210,000, with projections suggesting a $350,000+ premiere day haul. This marks a massive leap from earlier figures, which saw the film at just $36,200 with 2,000 tickets sold across 128 locations four days ago—a 220-239% jump in 48 hours, per reports from Times of India and Koimoi.
The surge kicked into high gear after the trailer dropped on June 15, 2025, at a Hyderabad event, sparking buzz with its gritty glimpse into a 10,000-crore scam and Devi Sri Prasad’s thumping score. Social media posts noted a “very good last-day jump,” with distributors like Prathyangira Cinemas adding more screens and shows to meet demand. One source even claimed pre-sales crossed $250,000, though this figure remains unverified.
Why the Hype?
Several factors are driving Kuberaa’s strong U.S. performance. Dhanush, fresh off Raayan’s success, is a major draw for Tamil and Telugu diaspora audiences, with his intense role as Deva, a beggar-turned-mastermind, fueling curiosity. Nagarjuna’s star power as a morally complex CBI officer, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh’s appeal, broadens the film’s reach across language barriers. Kammula’s reputation for emotional storytelling, combined with the film’s pan-Indian release in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, has made it a hot ticket.
The trailer’s impact can’t be overstated. Trade analysts credit its raw visuals of Mumbai’s slums and promise of a clash between wealth and poverty for the late booking spike. Posts on social media echoed this, with fans hyping the “star-studded cast” and “innovative storytelling.” The U.S., a key market for South Indian films, has seen growing turnout for premieres, and Kuberaa’s 803 shows reflect distributors’ confidence in its pull.
How Does It Stack Up?
While Kuberaa’s $210,000 North American pre-sales are strong, they fall short of massive Telugu openers like Game Changer ($740,000 in U.S. pre-sales). Still, for a socio-political thriller—not a typical mass action flick—it’s a solid start. Dhanush’s recent U.S. releases like Raayan ($66,000 premiere) and Captain Miller underperformed, so Kuberaa’s numbers signal a potential overseas revival. Trade experts predict a $350,000+ premiere day, with a big opening weekend possible if word-of-mouth is positive.
However, the film’s pre-sales in India, especially Tamil Nadu, are softer, with only 25,000 tickets sold on BookMyShow in 2.5 days, lagging behind Raayan’s 279,000. The U.S. performance, though, shows Dhanush’s diaspora pull remains strong, with 66.9% growth in the final 24 hours alone.
What’s at Stake?
With a ₹120 crore budget, Kuberaa is a high-stakes project for Kammula and producers Suniel Narang and Puskur Ram Mohan Rao. Its pre-release business, including a ₹47 crore Amazon Prime Video OTT deal and ₹65 crore in theatrical rights, has already crossed ₹100 crore, covering most costs. But a strong box office run, especially overseas, is crucial to hit the 40-45 crore share needed for theatrical success, per trade estimates. The U.S. premiere’s $210,000 pre-sales set a promising tone, but the film’s 183-minute runtime and heavy themes of greed and redemption will need to click with audiences.
What’s Next?
As Kuberaa premieres tonight in the U.S. (6 PM EST, 3:30 AM IST), all eyes are on early reactions. Positive buzz could push it past the $350,000 premiere mark and set up a big weekend, especially with no major South Indian competition. Posts from distributors like Prathyangira Cinemas are hyping “record-breaking” potential, and fans are banking on Kammula’s storytelling to deliver.