Kannada's first-ever prequel film, Bhairathi Ranagal, has been creating the right noise at the box office since its release on November 15. Starring Shivarajkumar in the titular role, this high-octane action-drama had a strong opening and quickly became a major talking point.
The film minted a solid Rs 2 crore in its opening day. The second day saw a significant spike in collections, rising by 17.39% to Rs 2.7 crore. The momentum continued on day 3 with a 25.93% jump, bringing in Rs 3.4 crore. However, on day 4—Monday—the film's collections dipped to Rs 1.65 crore. Despite the usual weekday decline, the film managed to gross a total of Rs 10.05 crore over the first four days, according to industry trackers.
Directed by Narthan, Bhairathi Ranagal blends gripping action with rich storytelling, with Shivarajkumar delivering a performance that has captivated audiences. The film combines high-octane action, intense drama, and emotional depth, all set against the backdrop of mining.
The film also marks the second home production for Geetha Shivarajkumar’s Geetha Pictures, following the success of Vedha. The production company is now gearing up for its next venture, A for Anand, directed by Srini of Ghost fame. With the shoot already complete, the film is expected to release soon, adding to the growing excitement around the banner's future projects.
Despite the day 4 slump, Bhairathi Ranagal is expected to overcome this headwind. The film has the potential to perform well and is poised to make a strong weekend rebound; the trend will remain the same in the coming weeks.
In the broader context of Kannada cinema, Bhairathi Ranagal enters a competitive field of recent box office hits. 2024 has seen some significant performances from Kannada films, including Bheema (Rs. 26.4 crore), Bagheera (Rs 24.7 crore), and Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi (Rs 21.2 crore). Martin, starring Dhruva Sarja, which was one of the highest-budget films made, earned Rs. 25.69 crore worldwide. Meanwhile, Yuva, featuring Yuva Rajkumar, earned Rs 14.94 crore.
With Bhairathi Ranagal now crossing the Rs 10 crore mark in just four days, the film has a real opportunity to continue its upward trajectory.
In addition to Shivarajkumar’s performance, Bhairathi Ranagal features an ensemble cast, including Bollywood actor Rahul Bose, Avinash, Babu Hirannaiah, Chaya Singh, Rukmini Vasanth, Gopal Deshpande, and Devaraj.
The film has music by Ravi Basrur and cinematography by Naveen Kumar.