Kantara: Chapter 1 opened to a historic start, crossing Rs 60 crore on Day 1 across India. With record occupancies and strong word of mouth, it is on track to become one of 2025’s biggest blockbusters
Still from Kantara Chapter 1
Rishab Shetty's Kannada film Kantara: Chapter 1 was a much-awaited release, thanks to the phenomenal success of its predecessor Kantara in 2022. The film hit theatres on October 2, a national holiday, and fans thronged cinemas to witness the visual spectacle created by actor-writer-director Rishab Shetty and his team. The love showered on the film has translated to the box office as well, with the movie registering a historic opening on Day 1.
Box office
Kantara: Chapter 1, produced by Hombale Films, has crossed Rs 60 crore across India (all languages). It has become one of the biggest openings for a Kannada film. According to trade-tracking site Sacnilk, the film recorded an occupancy of 88.13 per cent in its home state Karnataka. In Telugu, it saw 75.34 per cent occupancy, while in Tamil Nadu it recorded 71.42 per cent. The Hindi version had a lower occupancy of 29.84 per cent, but still managed to rake in around Rs 20 crore.
Adding to this, the film is receiving highly positive word of mouth and is expected to sustain momentum over the coming days, maintaining steady growth. It is already being pegged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 2025.
Will Kantara have a Part 3?
The film, which also stars Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah, is set in the 4th–5th century. It picks up where Kantara (2022) left off, exploring the origins of the Daiva culture introduced in the first movie. After the triumph of good over evil, the narrative returns to the present. A child listening to the tale asks about one of the caves featured in the story, to which an elderly character replies, “That is for the next chapter.” This clearly signals the makers’ intention to continue the story with a third installment.
About Kantara: Chapter 1
Kantara: Chapter 1 is one of Hombale Films’ most ambitious projects. The creative team includes music director B. Ajaneesh Loknath, cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, and production designer Vinesh Banglan, who together elevate the film’s visual and emotional impact.
The production also features one of Indian cinema’s largest war sequences, involving national and international specialists, 500 trained fighters, and over 3,000 participants. Shot over rugged terrain spanning 25 acres for nearly 50 days, this massive sequence sets a new benchmark in Indian filmmaking.
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