Following the phenomenal success of the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara, actor-director Rishabh Shetty is set to release a prequel titled Kantara: Chapter 1 on October 2. The first film had firmly placed Kannada cinema on the national map, earning approximately Rs 310 crore in India and demonstrating that hits like KGF were not isolated phenomena.

Strong advance booking in the United States

Even before opening advance bookings in India, Kantara: Chapter 1 has made a solid start internationally. In the United States, the film collected USD 51,685 on its first day of advance booking across more than 1,700 locations. The film is slated for release in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi, generating considerable anticipation among fans across linguistic markets.

Behind the prequel

Unlike the first film, which continued the original story, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a prequel that delves into the backstory of the 2022 film’s narrative. Rishabh Shetty will reprise his intense role as a fierce naga sadhu, promising action sequences and drama that fans of the franchise have come to expect.

Todor Lazarov, the action director of the film, recently shared insights about the production in an interview with Cinema Express. Lazarov revealed that he dropped two ongoing projects to work on Kantara: Chapter 1 after being inspired by Rishabh Shetty’s vision. He also noted that shooting the film’s climax alone took 28 days, underscoring the scale and intensity of the production.

Clash with big Bollywood release

The release of Kantara: Chapter 1 coincides with the Dussehra weekend, when Karan Johar-backed film Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumar starring Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and Maniesh Paul will also hit theatres. Industry analysts are keen to see how two films with distinct narratives and audiences will perform at the box office during the festive season.

Conclusion

With strong international pre-release bookings and a storyline that promises to deepen the lore of the original Kantara, Rishabh Shetty’s latest venture is already creating waves in cinema circles. As the Dussehra release approaches, both Kannada and Hindi film enthusiasts are gearing up for a cinematic showdown at the box office.