What happens when folklore meets fiery storytelling? A cinematic storm—and that’s exactly what Rishab Shetty has unleashed with Kantara Chapter 1. Released worldwide on 2nd October 2025 in five languages, the film has turned theatres into a festival ground, with audiences thronging cinema halls in record numbers. Within just 48 hours, the film has collected a jaw-dropping ₹105 crore in India, making it one of the fastest films to breach the ₹100-crore mark.
Day 1: A Thunderous Start
The film opened with a massive bang on Day 1, grossing nearly ₹90 crore worldwide. In India alone, it netted ₹61.85 crore across languages. Breaking it down: Kannada led with ₹19.6 crore, Telugu contributed ₹13 crore, Hindi brought in ₹18.5 crore, Tamil collected ₹5.5 crore, and Malayalam added ₹5.25 crore. For a film rooted deeply in regional culture, these numbers sent shockwaves through the industry.
Day 2: The Roar Gets Louder
If the first day was thunder, the second was lightning. The Day 2 collection stood at ₹43.65 crore, taking the India net total to a staggering ₹105.5 crore. Trade analysts say the film is only warming up, with the weekend expected to push collections even higher. In fact, many regions have already added extra shows to cater to soaring demand.
More Than Just a Film
What sets Kantara Chapter 1 apart is not just its box office performance, but its soul. The film celebrates traditions, spirituality, and the bond between man and nature, striking a chord with audiences far beyond Karnataka. Critics have praised Shetty for crafting a cinematic experience that is at once powerful, emotional, and culturally rich.