Director Mani Ratnam
· Cast Madhavan, Simran, Keerthana Avatharam
· Released 2002
Worldwide
₹18 Cr India nett
Gross collection
India Nett
₹18 Cr
After GST
Overseas
₹₹2 Cr
International gross
Budget
₹12 Cr
Production cost
Boxoffy VerdictHit
Kannathil Muthamittal earned a Hit verdict — comfortably profitable, with ₹18 Cr India nett against a reported budget of ₹12 Cr, representing a 150% return on production cost. A Hit at the Indian box office means the film recovered its production and distribution costs and returned profit to all stakeholders. While not a record-breaker, the Hit verdict confirms genuine audience approval and successful commercial execution across its theatrical run.
Boxoffy Read
Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal is Tamil cinema's most serious engagement with the Sri Lankan civil conflict and its human cost — a film about a Tamil girl searching for her biological mother in a war zone that treats political violence with genuine sobriety. P.S. Keerthana's child performance is among the finest in Tamil cinema. The film's commercial performance was modest relative to its artistic achievement.
Financial AnalysisBox Office vs Budget
Kannathil Muthamittal was reportedly made on a budget of ₹12 Cr. Against that investment, the film collected ₹18 Cr India nett — a 1.5x multiple on production cost and a 150% return on the reported budget. Worldwide gross reached ₹18 Cr, including overseas contribution of ₹-3.24 Cr.
Break-even at the Indian box office typically requires approximately 1.5x the production budget once prints, advertising and distribution costs are factored in — placing the break-even threshold for Kannathil Muthamittal at roughly ₹18 Cr India nett. The film cleared this threshold, resulting in the Hit verdict.
Kannathil Muthamittal is classified as a Hit by Boxoffy. The film collected ₹18 Cr India nett against a reported budget of ₹12 Cr. The film was commercially profitable.
Kannathil Muthamittal collected ₹18 Cr India nett at the box office, with a worldwide gross of ₹18 Cr India nett. The India nett figure represents collections after GST extraction, as reported by Box Office India and cross-referenced with Sacnilk and Pinkvilla.
Kannathil Muthamittal released in 2000 and is likely available on major Indian streaming platforms. Check Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and SonyLIV for current availability, as OTT rights shift periodically.
Kannathil Muthamittal was directed by Mani Ratnam. The 2000 Tamil film earned a Hit verdict at the Indian box office, collecting ₹18 Cr India nett.