Rishab Shetty’s much-anticipated prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, has made a thunderous debut at the box office, reaffirming the franchise’s powerful hold over audiences. Released on October 2, 2025, the film has reportedly earned between ₹30 to ₹40 crore on its first day across all languages, marking one of the strongest openings for a South Indian film this year.
A Mythological Spectacle That Strikes Gold
Following the unprecedented success of Kantara (2022), which was made on a modest ₹16 crore budget and went on to gross over ₹310 crore globally, expectations were sky-high for its prequel. Kantara: Chapter 1 dives deeper into the folklore and mysticism of coastal Karnataka, with Rishab Shetty reprising his role as both lead actor and director.
The film’s release coincided with the Dussehra holiday, giving it a strategic advantage in terms of footfall. Advance bookings had already hinted at a strong opening, with over 1.49 lakh tickets sold and pre-release earnings touching ₹8.83 crore4. The Hindi version alone contributed more than ₹15 crore to the day-one tally, a significant leap from the ₹1.95 crore opening of the original film.
Clash at the Box Office
Kantara: Chapter 1 faced stiff competition from Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, but early trends suggest Shetty’s mythological action drama has taken the lead. The film’s appeal in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, especially in single-screen theatres, has played a crucial role in its robust performance.
What Lies Ahead
With a reported budget of ₹125 crore, Kantara: Chapter 1 has a long road ahead to match its predecessor’s profitability. However, if word-of-mouth remains strong and the film continues to dominate in regional markets, it could very well replicate — or even surpass — the success of the original.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes are on whether Kantara: Chapter 1 can maintain its momentum and carve out a legendary box office run. One thing is certain: Rishab Shetty has once again tapped into the soul of Indian folklore, and audiences are responding with overwhelming enthusiasm.