Kantara Chapter 1 Crosses Rs 450 Crore Mark in Second week

Rishab Shetty's mythological actioner Kantara: A Legend—Chapter 1 continues its triumphant run at the domestic box office, surpassing the ₹450 crore mark on its second Monday despite a noticeable drop in collections. Released on October 2 amid Dussehra festivities, the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara has captivated audiences with its blend of folklore, intense action, and cultural depth, grossing ₹13.50 crore across all languages on Day 12, according to early estimates from Sacnilk. This brings the film's India net total to ₹451.90 crore, reflecting sustained momentum even as weekday earnings soften post its explosive second weekend.

The film's trajectory has been nothing short of phenomenal. It amassed ₹337.40 crore in its opening week, with the Hindi version alone contributing ₹108.75 crore and Kannada ₹106.95 crore, underscoring its pan-India appeal. The second weekend delivered a robust ₹100 crore boost—₹39 crore on Saturday and ₹39.75 crore on Sunday—fuelled by word-of-mouth and strategic marketing that highlighted its roots in Karnataka's Bhoota Kola traditions.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh noted, X: "#KantaraChapter1 packs an impressive total in its second weekend, with Saturday and Sunday showing fantastic growth. The film gets one more open weekend [17-19 Oct] before the #Diwali releases arrive [on 21 Oct], which should help it collect a solid overall total." With no major competition until Diwali blockbusters like Chhaava and Pushpa 2, Kantara Chapter 1 is poised to add another ₹50-60 crore before the festive clash.

Already the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025, eclipsing Su From So's ₹125 crore lifetime haul, the movie has outpaced several pan-India heavyweights. It surpassed the domestic collections of Prabhas's Salaar (₹406.45 crore), Baahubali: The Beginning (₹420 crore), Ram Charan's Game Changer, and Salman Khan's Sikandar, securing the 12th spot among Indian cinema's all-time biggest hits. Worldwide, it has crossed ₹590 crore, blending visceral storytelling with Shetty's dual role as Shiva and the warrior Shiva. The cast, including Rukmini Vasanth as Leela, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah, has been lauded for elevating the narrative's emotional core.

Also Read: Kantara Star Rishab Shetty Joins Amitabh Bachchan on KBC 17 Hot Seat

Directed, written, and starring Shetty—fresh off a 2024 National Award for Best Actor in the original Kantara—the film explores 300-year-old folklore in a prequel format, earning praise for its technical prowess despite some narrative critiques. NDTV's Saibal Chatterjee described it as "a manic, sometimes befuddling mix of history, myth, cinematic craft, and performative power. When the disparate components and conceits blend well, it is an undeniably compelling watch." As it hurtles toward the ₹500 crore club, Kantara Chapter 1 reaffirms South Indian cinema's dominance, with producers Hombale Films already teasing a third instalment teased in its climax.

Also Read: Kantara Prequel by Rishab Shetty Promises Bigger Cinematic Adventure