Bengaluru: Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 continues its extraordinary run at the Indian box office, crossing the ₹350 crore mark within just nine days of release. The prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara has set new benchmarks for Kannada cinema and reaffirmed Shetty’s reputation as a powerful storyteller and performer.
₹14.15 crore on Day 9, total collection crosses ₹351 crore
According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 earned an estimated ₹14.15 crore in India on Friday, 10 October. On Thursday (Day 8), the film had collected ₹21.15 crore. This brings the film’s total domestic box office collection to a massive ₹351.55 crore.
The film opened to record-breaking numbers on 2 October, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Vijayadashami. Its Day 1 collections stood at ₹61.85 crore, making it one of the biggest openings for a Kannada-language film in recent times.
Strong first-week performance across languages
Kantara Chapter 1 witnessed consistent growth through its first week, driven by exceptional word of mouth and robust occupancy across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and North India.
By the end of its first week, the film had amassed ₹98.85 crore from the Kannada market, ₹102 crore from Hindi, ₹60.9 crore from Telugu, ₹29.4 crore from Tamil, and ₹24.85 crore from Malayalam, taking its total to over ₹300 crore in India within seven days.
Sunday, 6 October, saw the film’s highest single-day earnings so far, with ₹63 crore, reaffirming its mass appeal.
Audience and critical acclaim
Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 features Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram in pivotal roles. The film serves as a prequel to Kantara (2022), unfolding nearly a thousand years before the events of the original.
The prequel dives deep into themes of land, identity, tradition, faith, class conflict, and justice — all interpreted through the lens of South Indian folklore.
Critics have praised its meticulous world-building, stunning cinematography, and deeply rooted narrative. Audiences have also lauded Shetty’s ability to blend spirituality, action, and folklore in a visually compelling format.
Trade analysts note that Kantara Chapter 1 is not only dominating in Karnataka but also performing strongly in the Hindi belt and overseas markets. The film’s immersive storytelling and cultural authenticity have been key drivers behind its pan-India success.
Rishab Shetty confirms third instalment
Following the overwhelming response, Rishab Shetty recently confirmed that a third instalment, titled Kantara Chapter 2, is already in development. Speaking to reporters, Shetty said the upcoming film will continue to expand the mythological universe introduced in Kantara and its prequel.
The Kantara franchise has now firmly established itself as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious and culturally resonant series, bridging folklore and modern filmmaking.
Conclusion
With ₹351.55 crore earned in India in just nine days, Kantara Chapter 1 stands as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2025. Its success underscores the growing influence of regional cinema in shaping India’s pan-Indian box office narrative.
As audiences eagerly await Kantara Chapter 2, Rishab Shetty’s cinematic universe continues to redefine how mythology and folklore are portrayed on the big screen.