Dhanush’s latest pan-Indian venture Kuberaa has opened to a disappointing response in Tamil Nadu, raising serious questions about his star power.
Despite being a well-known Tamil hero, the film failed to generate significant buzz or hype in his home state.
Industry experts are now debating whether Dhanush’s mass appeal has been overestimated, especially considering the expectations that director Sekhar Kammula had while casting him for a film meant to make waves across South India.
In the Telugu states, whatever traction Kuberaa managed to gain seems to be largely due to the popularity of director Sekhar Kammula, the presence of veteran star Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna’s appeal.
The Dhanush factor, surprisingly, appears to have had minimal impact.
Given the scale and time invested in the project, the film’s underwhelming buzz has come as a shock to trade analysts and fans alike.
Early estimates suggest a day-one net collection of just Rs 7–9 crore across India — a modest figure for a film of this scale.
Backed by weak footfalls in Tamil Nadu and an only slightly better response in Telugu regions, the opening numbers suggest that Dhanush's stardom may not be as strong as many assumed.
In short, Kuberaa has exposed the myth of Dhanush's box office pull.
