Rishab Shetty's highly anticipated prequel Kantara Chapter 1 continued its impressive box office run, surpassing the Rs 250 crore mark domestically on its fifth day. Released on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Dussehra, the film earned Rs 30.50 crore across all languages on its first Monday, according to early estimates from trade tracker Sacnilk. This performance, despite a typical weekday dip, has pushed the total India net collection to Rs 255.75 crore, signalling strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest in the mythological action drama.
The film's extended opening weekend set a robust foundation, amassing Rs 223.25 crore over the first four days. It opened explosively with Rs 61.85 crore on Thursday, followed by Rs 45.40 crore on Friday, Rs 55 crore on Saturday, and Rs 61.50 crore on Sunday. Language-wise, Sunday's haul included Rs 23 crore in Hindi and Rs 16.75 crore in Kannada, highlighting its pan-India appeal across Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam versions. Overseas markets have contributed over $2.5 million (approximately Rs 22 crore) in the initial days, boosting the worldwide tally beyond Rs 350 crore, as reported by various industry sources.
Produced on a budget of Rs 125 crore by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 has shattered several records early in its run. It has become the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025, eclipsing Su From So's Rs 92 crore lifetime collection and even surpassing the domestic totals of pan-India hits like Salman Khan's Sikandar (Rs 110 crore) and Ram Charan's Game Changer (Rs 131 crore).
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh lauded the momentum on X, noting, "#KantaraChapter1 packs an excellent total in its extended opening weekend... All eyes are now on the crucial Monday," which the film has convincingly cleared. The original Kantara (2022), made on a modest Rs 16 crore budget, grossed over Rs 407 crore worldwide, and earned Rishab Shetty the National Award for Best Actor in 2024, along with the film winning Best Popular Film honours.
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Directed and written (with Anirudh Mahesh and Shanil Guru) and starring Rishab Shetty, the prequel delves into the origins of the legend from the 2022 blockbuster, featuring Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles. Set against a backdrop of ancient folklore and tribal conflicts in coastal Karnataka, it blends history, myth, and high-octane action. NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee described it as "a manic, sometimes befuddling, mix of history, myth, cinematic craft, and performative power," praising its immersive visuals and grand sequences while noting occasional narrative overloads. Early social media buzz on X reflects audience enthusiasm, with fans hailing it as a "divine blockbuster" despite some critiques of overseas underperformance.
As Kantara Chapter 1 enters the weekday phase, analysts predict a steady hold, potentially targeting Rs 500-600 crore domestically. Its success underscores the growing global footprint of Kannada cinema, following in the footsteps of KGF and Pushpa. With occupancy rates averaging 72% in Kannada circuits on Monday, the film's cultural resonance—rooted in Bhoota Kola traditions—continues to draw crowds, positioning it for a festive season triumph.
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