Indian filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty on a poster of his latest Kannada film ‘Kantara Chapter 1’.
Hombale Films
The much-awaited Kannada film, Kantara Chapter 1 had an impressive opening at the global box office. The Indian film released in theatres on October 2 and made an opening worldwide collection close to $10 million. By the end of the first weekend, it was ranked as third highest-grossing film worldwide by Comscore, and earned $35.7 million. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the film also became the sixth top-grossing Indian film of the year 2025.
Kantara Chapter 1 Crosses $35 million in first weekend
The Indian film Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed the $35 million-mark in its first weekend at the global ticket windows. It is a prequel to the 2022 movie Kantara which brought the global focus to Kannada cinema with a surprise box office hit.
Rishab Shetty, along with Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram play lead roles in Kantara Chapter 1. Shetty also featured in the first film, along with Sapthami Gowda and Achyuth Kumar.
Kantara Chapter 1 box office
A mythological drama, Kantara Chapter 1 released in theatres on the occasion of the Hindu festival Dussehra on October 2. The film made a grand opening of $9.9 million worldwide while it grossed $8.5 million in India on the first day. The original Kannada film contributed the most to the Indian collections – $2.3 million – while the Hindi version also contributed $2 million. The film released across the globe in seven languages, apart from the original Kannada language. These include Hindi, English, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and Spanish.
By the end of the second day – Friday – Kantara Chapter 1 collected $11.9 million in Indian markets alone. At the global box office, it made $35 million by the end of its first extended weekend which spanned across four days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The film made $26.7 million worldwide in just three days. Comscore ranked it as the third highest grossing film worldwide for the week ending October 5.
In the US markets, the film made more than $2 million over the weekend and was the tenth highest grossing film for the weekend. In the North American markets alone, the film scored nearly $2.4 million.
Kantara Chapter 1 review
Kantara Chapter 1 is a prequel to Kantara and traces the origins of the Bhoota Kola tradition in the Kannada region in India. Director Rishab Shetty also plays the lead role in both films. Shetty co-wrote the film with Shanil Guru and Anirudh Mahesh.
Indian actor Rukmini Vasanth plays an important role in Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’.
Hombale Films
Thematically, both films talk about the relevance of respecting nature through traditions and the harmful effects that reckless development can have on our environment. The new film also outlines the need for equality across all diversities – race, gender, and even class. Kantara Chapter 1 throws light on both sides of the equation between humans and nature – the one where humans and wildlife coexist and help each other and the one where humans abuse nature and wildlife for their greed. It also highlights the Indian tribal traditions of worshipping the basic elements of nature. A delightful aspect is the genderless universe that Kantara Chapter 1 often feels like. The women in the story are included as human beings in all aspects – they are neither deified nor demonized. They actively participate in everything from fighting battles to preparing food and caring for the elderly, much like the men do. When on the negative side of the narrative, both the women and men are equally capable of greed, evil and revenge.
Visually and technically, Kantara Chapter 1 is way above the first film, perhaps because of the budget that the success of the first one ensured for this one. The new film has nearly double the budget of the first one, giving wings to the visionary ideas that are visible in both Kantara films. The grand enigmatic visuals that were a major part of the enchanting climax in Kantara are peppered across the entire (nearly) three-hour-long Kantara Chapter 1. The grandeur gets bigger and better in the new film, making it one of the best cinematic experiences from India.
Indian actor Gulshan Devaiah shines as the villainous prince in the Kannada film ‘Kantara Chapter 1’.
Hombale Films
Revolving around a boy who was found in a well and appears to have exceptional emotional and physical powers, Kantara Chapter 1 shows his evolution into the savior of the tribe that nurtured him. Shetty plays the lead role while Bollywood star Gulshan Devaiah essays the role of a prince greedy for the forest where the hero resides. Rukmini Vasanth plays a princess while Jayaram plays the ruler of the kingdom interested in encroaching the forest. All actors, including the supporting cast, have done an impressive job of playing their roles, but Devaiah, Shetty and Vasanth deserve special mentions. Gulshan Devaiah has previously charmed everyone with his work in Dahaad, Hunterr, Guns n Gulaabs, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and 8 am Metro and Badhaai Do. With his act as prince Kulashekara, Devaiah proves once again that he is the real chameleon in the forest of Indian cinema. Vasanth, too, showcases a charming act with her performance. Shetty, of course, is the center of the story, and enjoys the backing of writing in his favor. He displays class acting – swiftly moving from one mood and situation to another – justifying the focus of Kantara Chapter 1 on him.