Earlier this year, director Manu Anand's film Mr X opened in theatres to mixed reviews from critics and audiences and did not perform as well as expected at the box office. According to a recent report from Sacnilk, the film grossed 6.83 crore from theatres worldwide. Earlier this Saturday, director Manu Anand made a candid admission about the box office performance of the film, starring Arya, Manju Warrier, and Athulya Ravi, among others.
Taking to Instagram, Manu shared a note thanking the audience for the relatively better response for the film after its digital premiere. Acknowledging the film's viewers, supporters and critics, the director wrote, "I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every person who became a part of this journey. Mr X was a film born out of conviction - an attempt to tell a story in a slightly different voice, while still embracing the scale and excitement of mainstream cinema. From the very beginning, the intention was to create a theatrical experience that felt unique, emotional and immersive."
The filmmaker cited the legislative assembly elections in the state as a factor for the film's underperformance at the box office. He wrote, "When the film released worldwide on April 17th, 2026, we knew we were stepping into an extremely challenging and crowded week of the historical Tamil Nadu state elections. While the film received encouraging reviews and positive word of mouth from many quarters, it unfortunately performed lesser at the box office than what we had hoped or expected."
The Mr X director himself took the responsibility for its box office performance. He added, "As filmmakers, we can analyse many reasons for why a film connects widely or falls short commercially. Depending on whom you ask, the answers may vary. But ultimately, as the writer and director of Mr X, I believe the responsibility rests with me. I accept that with complete humility.
Cinema is a powerful medium, but also an unpredictable one. Every film teaches you something valuable - about storytelling, about audiences, about timing, about yourself. Mr X has been one of the biggest learning experiences of my career, and I will carry those learnings forward with immense respect and gratitude."
Despite the theatrical feedback, Manu looked at the brighter side and reflected on the better response for the film after its streaming release. "At the same time, the response the film has been receiving after its digital release on Jio Hotstar has been deeply encouraging and emotional for me. The number of messages I have received appreciating the film, its content and the performances- one month after its theatrical release, is truly overwhelming. Seeing audiences across India discover the film, discuss it passionately and connect with its world over the past week has made me feel vindicated as a creator. It reminds me that sincere storytelling always finds its audience - sometimes immediately, sometimes gradually."
A former disciple of Gautham Vasudev Menon, Manu also thanked his producers for backing the film and his actors and crew members. "I owe a huge debt of thanks to our producers Prince Pictures & Maverik Movies for believing in this vision and backing it wholeheartedly. To my cast and crew - thank you for giving your absolute best every single day. Films are never made by one individual. They are built on the dedication, sacrifice and passion of hundreds of people working together toward a shared dream."
The filmmaker also expressed his gratitude to the audience, whether they liked the film or not, for the fact that they watched it. "Whether you watched Mr X in theatres, discovered it later on streaming, appreciated it, criticised it, debated it or simply gave it your time - thank you. Every response matters. Every film exists because audiences choose to engage with it. I remain grateful for the opportunity to tell stories through cinema," he wrote.
The director ended his note by saying that he "will continue striving to learn, evolve and create films that are emotionally honest, cinematically exciting and more widely accessible to audiences across all sections."