BENGALURU: Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 continues its record-breaking run at the box office, officially becoming the most-watched Indian film of 2025. The Kannada mythological action drama has now overtaken Chhaava in terms of footfalls and is inching closer to becoming the 7th highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
Record-breaking footfalls across languages
According to box office tracker Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 registered impressive footfalls of 3.20 crore within just 26 days of its theatrical run in India. This figure includes over 1 crore footfalls from the Hindi-dubbed version alone. The film saw around 80 lakh admissions from Karnataka and the remaining numbers from the Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam versions.
This milestone makes Kantara Chapter 1 only the second Kannada film in history to cross the 3-crore footfall mark. The first remains Yash’s KGF Chapter 2, which holds an unmatched record of 5 crore+ lifetime admissions.
Surpasses Chhaava and sets new benchmark
The Rishab Shetty starrer has now surpassed Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, which held the top spot for most-watched film of 2025 with lifetime admissions of over 3.10 crore. In just under a month, Kantara Chapter 1 has exceeded that number, reaffirming its popularity across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Trade analysts note that the film’s appeal lies in its authentic storytelling, mythological depth, and spectacular visuals, which have resonated strongly with audiences both in urban multiplexes and small towns.
The film’s success and industry impact
Released on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, the film benefitted from an extended festive weekend and strong word-of-mouth publicity. Produced by Hombale Films, the banner behind KGF and Salaar, the movie’s success once again highlights Kannada cinema’s growing pan-India reach.
Starring Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah, the prequel explores the origins of the mythos introduced in the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. The film’s mix of action, folklore, and spirituality has turned it into a cultural phenomenon, with repeat audiences contributing to its sustained box office momentum.
Chasing the top seven
Kantara Chapter 1 is currently the eighth highest-grossing Indian film of all time, and is now chasing Chhaava to claim the seventh spot. Analysts predict that with consistent occupancy in its fourth week and limited competition, the film could achieve this feat by early November.
With its strong theatrical run, remarkable footfalls, and universal acclaim, Kantara Chapter 1 cements its place as not just a box office giant but also a landmark in Indian mythological cinema.