Kantara- Chapter 1

Kantara: Chapter 1 Roars Past ₹160 Crore in 3 Days, Becomes 2025’s Top Kannada Blockbuster


Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 dominates the Indian box office, grossing over ₹160 crore in just three days. Here’s a look at its record-breaking run and language-wise performance.


The Divine Saga Strikes Again

Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited Kantara: Chapter 1 has stormed into theaters and captured the nation’s attention. Within just three days of release, the mystical action-drama has shattered records, crossing the ₹160 crore mark across India and emerging as the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025 so far. With audiences flooding cinemas across languages, Shetty’s directorial universe has once again proven its unmatched pull at the box office.

A Sequel Worth the Wait

Following the massive success of Kantara (2022), which redefined Kannada cinema with its cultural depth and visual grandeur, Kantara: Chapter 1 carries the franchise forward with mythic intensity. The prequel explores the origins of divine folklore rooted in South India’s traditional rituals, delving deeper into the themes of faith, power, and human connection with nature.
Starring Rishab Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth in lead roles, alongside Jayaram and Gulshan Devaiah, the film was expected to perform well but the numbers have exceeded all predictions.

Box Office Triumph Across India

According to early trade estimates from Sacnilk, Kantara: Chapter 1 earned a staggering ₹55.25 crore on Saturday alone, bringing its total domestic collection to ₹163.1 crore in just three days.
Here’s the language-wise breakdown of Saturday’s earnings:
  • Kannada: ₹14.5 crore
  • Telugu: ₹11.75 crore
  • Hindi: ₹19 crore
  • Tamil: ₹5.75 crore
  • Malayalam: ₹4.25 crore
The film witnessed an impressive 20.11% overall growth from its opening day, signaling a strong word-of-mouth wave that’s driving audiences back into theaters.

Record-Breaking Occupancy Across Regions

On Day 3, Kantara: Chapter 1 showcased phenomenal occupancy levels across all major South Indian markets.
  • In Kannada, theaters maintained near full-house status with over 93% occupancy.
  • The Telugu version saw a meteoric rise from 36.71% in the morning to 87.71% by evening.
  • In Malayalam, occupancy climbed from 34.40% to 80.50%, while the Tamil version surged dramatically from 37.43% to 92.50% by night shows.
Such uniform growth across regions is rare, underscoring the film’s universal appeal and cultural resonance beyond linguistic boundaries.

Trade Analysts Applaud the Momentum

Film trade analysts note that Kantara: Chapter 1 has reignited the domestic box office scene. According to Sacnilk’s early projections, the film is poised to surpass the ₹215 crore mark worldwide within its first weekend. Analysts attribute this success to Rishab Shetty’s storytelling rooted in regional ethos, blended with cinematic grandeur that appeals to pan-Indian audiences.
Industry experts believe Kantara’s sustained performance could redefine the dynamics of South Indian cinema yet again proving that strong narratives rooted in local culture can command nationwide attention.

Fans Celebrate a Cinematic Ritual

Social media platforms are abuzz with reactions celebrating Shetty’s masterful performance and the film’s breathtaking visuals. Fans have described Kantara: Chapter 1 as a “spiritual experience” rather than just a movie. Memes, fan art, and theater videos showing packed houses and standing ovations have gone viral, cementing its place as a cultural event rather than a mere film release.

The Rise of Regional Powerhouses

With Kantara: Chapter 1 continuing its stellar run, it not only solidifies Rishab Shetty’s position as one of India’s most visionary storytellers but also strengthens Kannada cinema’s presence in the national market. The film’s multilingual reach performing strongly across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam belts demonstrates the growing appetite for authentic, folklore-driven storytelling.
Trade pundits predict that Kantara: Chapter 1 could challenge some of the biggest pan-India blockbusters in the coming weeks if its momentum continues. The film’s organic rise also points to a changing audience dynamic where regional identity meets universal emotion.

A Myth Reborn, A Legacy Reinforced

As Kantara: Chapter 1 marches past ₹160 crore and eyes the ₹200 crore milestone, it’s clear that Rishab Shetty’s cinematic world has struck a deep chord with audiences. Combining mythology, human emotion, and visual splendor, the film transcends barriers of language and geography, reaffirming that rooted storytelling remains Indian cinema’s greatest strength.

(Disclaimer:  This article is based on verified trade data and public reports from credible industry sources such as Sacnilk. Box office figures are estimates and may be subject to change following official confirmation.)

 

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