Bengaluru: Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited film Kantara Chapter 1 has made a strong impact at the box office even before its official release, clocking one of the highest advance bookings of the year. The film’s pre-sales closed at ₹19.44 crore gross, positioning it as the sixth highest advance booking collection in India for 2025.
Advance bookings cross expectations
The advance booking for Kantara Chapter 1 surprised trade analysts as sales witnessed a 49% surge in the final 24 hours before release. Around 74,600 tickets were sold nationwide through advance reservations. This marks an impressive opening trend for the Rishab Shetty starrer, which has generated significant anticipation since its announcement.
Language-wise contributions
The Kannada version dominated the pre-sales figures, contributing nearly ₹9.9 crore. This indicates the strong home-ground support for the franchise. Hindi and Telugu versions followed in contribution, reflecting the film’s appeal beyond Karnataka. The movie also saw traction in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where audiences have embraced Shetty’s storytelling style.
State-wise dominance
Karnataka led the chart with the highest bookings, driven by Shetty’s dedicated fanbase and the cultural connect the film promises. Other states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu contributed significantly to the overall collections. The multilingual release strategy ensured a wide market presence.
Ranking among 2025 blockbusters
With ₹19.44 crore in pre-sales, Kantara Chapter 1 has surpassed advance bookings of several high-profile films including Good Bad Ugly, Vidaamuyarchi, and L2: Empuraan. It now ranks sixth in 2025, behind:
- OG – ₹65 crore
- Coolie – ₹37.3 crore
- Hari Hari Veera Mallu – ₹35 crore
- Game Changer – ₹31.8 crore
- War 2 – ₹21 crore
This performance puts the film in elite company, reflecting how Shetty’s storytelling has elevated Kannada cinema onto the national stage.
Industry expectations
Trade experts suggest that the film could open with a strong Day 1 collection, considering its pre-release momentum and cultural resonance. Given that Kantara’s first instalment became a surprise blockbuster, expectations are high that the sequel will perform even better, both commercially and critically.
Conclusion
The robust advance booking performance of Kantara Chapter 1 has set the tone for its theatrical run. With strong backing in Karnataka and growing pan-India interest, the film is expected to deliver a significant opening weekend, further solidifying Rishab Shetty’s reputation as a leading force in contemporary Indian cinema.