The Telugu version of "Killing Veerappan" started with a bang and has done decent collection at the box office on the first day. The film is set to bring back the lost glory of filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.

"Killing Veerappan" was one of the most awaited movies of 2015, but its release was delayed over some issues related to finance and the censor board. Having a good amount of advance booking, the Shivaraj Kumar-starrer released in around 300 cinema halls across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana (AP/T) on Thursday.

The Ram Gopal Varma-directed docudrama thriller witnessed a fare amount of footfalls in the morning show on Friday. The word-of-mouth took its business upwards in the later shows. The film ran to packed houses in some centres across these two states in the evening shows.

Some movie buffs, critics and people from the industry, who had not seen such huge response for Ram Gopala Varma's movies in recent days, were surprised over the 100% occupancy for his latest venture. While some congratulated him, saying he was back with bang, others shared photos of the huge occupancy in theatres on social media.

"Killing Veerappan" has done decent collection at the AP/T box office on the first day. The makers are yet to reveal the numbers. But if we are to go by early estimates, the movie has grossed upward of Rs 2.75 crore in these two states on its opening day. It is estimated to have earned Rs 1.50 crore for its distributors.

The word of mouth has helped "Killing Veerappan" show decent growth on Friday, with many theatres running shows with 100% occupancy in the morning and afternoon. The film is expected to do well on Saturday and Sunday. 

Starring Sandalwood superstar Shivaraj Kumar, "Killing Veerappan" was made in Kannada and dubbed and released in Telugu with the same name. Its original was released on 1 January and has grossed Rs 12 crore at the box office in the first week. Ram Gopal Varma, who was shattered by a series of failures, is on cloud nine and partied with his team to mark its success on Thursday night.