10 September,2025 08:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kantara Chapter 1
Hombale Films' much-awaited Kantara: Chapter 1 is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. It is indeed the biggest pan-India film that everyone is eagerly looking forward to. While the excitement surrounding the film continues to rise, it has hit a roadblock when it comes to screening. It is facing a setback in Kerala as the Film Exhibitors Union of Kerala (FEUOK) has decided not to screen the film. This decision stems from a dispute over the profit-sharing agreement.
As per reports in India Today, the controversy erupted when Prithviraj Productions, led by actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran, requested a 55 percent share of profits from theatre collections for the first two weeks of Kantara: Chapter 1's release. This exceeds the 50% profit share that Kerala exhibitors typically allocate for other films. The FEUOK's decision to halt the film's screenings in the state came after the exhibitors refused to meet this demand.
Vijayakumar, the president of FEUOK, expressed his dissatisfaction with this arrangement by highlighting that Malayalam film producers receive only a 40 per cent profit share when their films are released outside the state. "Why are these distributors so adamant about helping other language producers make gains when our producers don't get that much share," he questioned. The news comes after makers confirmed that the film will have a Pan-World release, hitting theatres simultaneously in over 30 countries.
Hombale Films is leaving no stone unturned in taking the legacy of this 2022 masterpiece forward. The makers have curated an extensive war sequence for Kantara: Chapter 1 with national and international specialists, hiring over 500 skilled fighters and featuring 3,000 people. The film is a prequel of 2022 hit film, which shattered several records.
For the unaware, Kantara was a pan Indian blockbuster featuring Rishab Shetty in a dual role, along with Sapthami Gowda, Kishore, and Achyuth Kumar. The film's story revolved around a Kambala champion who is at loggerheads with an upright forest officer. Sources reveal that Rishab Shetty will portray a Naga Sadhu with superhuman powers in the film. The flick also stars Rukmini Vasanth and Gulsha Devaiah in pivotal roles. It is all set for release on 2nd October.
