The much-awaited Kantara Chapter 1 has taken the box office by storm. Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara opened on Dusshera with an overwhelming response from audiences and critics alike. Early reviews have praised Rishab’s dual performance as both actor and filmmaker, giving the film a strong push at the ticket counters.
₹47+ crore opening on Day 1
As per industry tracker Sacnilk, the film raked in ₹47.76 crore on its very first day, making it one of the strongest openings for a Kannada film and a pan-India festive release this year. With evening and night shows still drawing packed houses, the film is expected to breach the ₹50 crore milestone before the day closes.
The film’s opening day figures are already higher than some major releases of 2025 including Saiyaara (₹22 crore), Sikandar (₹26 crore), and Chhaava (₹31 crore). However, surpassing the massive openers like Pawan Kalyan’s OG (₹84 crore) or Rajinikanth’s Coolie (₹65 crore) remains a distant goal.
Industry cheers for Kantara Chapter 1
Celebrating the success, Jr NTR took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
“Congratulations to the team of #KantaraChapter1 on scoring a resounding success. @shetty_rishab sir pulled off the unthinkable by excelling both as a mind-blowing actor and a brilliant director. My best wishes to the entire cast and crew, along with @hombalefilms, for fearlessly backing Rishab sir’s vision.”
Critical reception
In its review, Hindustan Times highlighted how Shetty has elevated the franchise with a stronger narrative this time. “Rishab Shetty balances the folk traditions that inspired the story with more modern elements. Women characters get greater agency in Chapter 1 compared to the first film, though the writing still occasionally falls back on the knight-in-shining-armour cliché. Even so, the female lead shines in some of the film’s most powerful moments,” the review noted.
With strong word-of-mouth, festive advantage, and Shetty’s popularity across regions, Kantara Chapter 1 is poised to continue its impressive run through the weekend.
