Kara: Dhanush's Film Records Lowest Post-Pandemic Opening Despite Featuring Four National Award Winners, Padma Shri Honouree

Kara,

starring Dhanush in the lead has released in cinemas on April 30, and it has opened to mixed response from Tamil film buffs. It also registered low opening at the box office, despite high expectations surrounding it. The film, which also features multiple National Award-winning performers and a Padma Shri recipient, was expected to continue Dhanush's strong post-pandemic run. However, collections indicate that this wasn't achieved. Directed by Vignesh Raja, Kara is a heist thriller, which is set in the early 90s. Dhanush's 54th outing as an actor, Kara is co-written by Alfred Prakash.

Kara: Dhanush’s Film Gets Lowest Post-Pandemic Opening Despite Prestigious Award-Winning Cast

According to Sacnilk, Kara collected Rs 5.75 crore net in India on its opening day. The domestic gross stands at Rs 6.64 crore, while overseas markets contributed an additional Rs 2.50 crore. The Tamil version led the opening day performance, contributing Rs 4.65 crore with an occupancy of 27% across 2,866 shows. The Telugu version added Rs 1.10 crore, recording a lower occupancy of 20% from 1,306 shows. Overall occupancy across languages stood at 24.8% on Thursday.

Dhanush’s previous film Idli Kadai opened at Rs 11 crore, and Kara has managed only around 30% of that figure on day one. Kara has fallen below Naane Varuvean, which previously held the position of his lowest post-COVID opener. Among Dhanush’s recent box office collections, his directorial Raayan tops the list with (Rs 13.7 crore).

His next directorial Idli Kadai earned Rs 11 crore, while Vaathi earned 9.7 crore, Captain Miller got Rs 8.8 crore, Thiruchitrambalam earned 8.25 crore, and Naane Varuvean to Rs 6.9 crore, making Kara a comparatively softer entry in the sequence. Directed by Vignesh Raja, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alfred Prakash, Kara follows the story of a former thief forced back into crime when a bank moves to seize his ancestral land.

Who Are The Award-Winning Actors In Kara?

Despite the film's mixed reaction, fans have been praising the cast which stars award-winning performers from Tamil and Malayalam film industries. Here's a look at who they are.Dhanush: Has four National Film Awards—two Best Actor wins for Aadukalam (2010) and Asuran (2019), and two as producer for Kaaka Muttai (2014) and Visaaranai (2015). Plays Karasaami in Kara with a Robin Hood-like arc.Jayaram: Padma Shri (2011) recipient with multiple Kerala and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. Plays a bank manager in Kara, earning praise for his deceptive role.

Suraj Venjaramoodu: National Award-winning actor (Best Actor, 61st National Film Awards) for Perariyathavar. Plays a menacing police officer in Kara.MS Bhaskar: National Award winner (Best Supporting Actor, 71st National Film Awards) for Parking. Appears as the unrecognisable Thatha in Kara.Interestingly, GV Prakash the film's music composer is also a two-time National award winner.Have you watched Kara yet?