Kantara Chapter 1 Surpasses Original Film in 6 Days

Rishab Shetty’s mythological action drama Kantara Chapter 1 has created history at the box office by surpassing its predecessor in record time. Released on October 2, 2025, the prequel has grossed an impressive Rs 427.5 crore worldwide in just six days, exceeding the original Kantara’s lifetime collection of Rs 408 crore from 2022.

The film has emerged as the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all time, trailing only behind KGF: Chapter 2, which holds the top position with Rs 1,215 crore worldwide. Industry experts predict that Kantara Chapter 1 could cross the Rs 500 crore mark in its first week itself, making the ambitious Rs 1,000 crore milestone appear achievable.

Stellar Performance Across Markets

The prequel has received exceptional response from audiences across Karnataka, Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, overseas markets, and the Hindi belt. The film’s success demonstrates the growing appeal of regional cinema on a pan-Indian scale.

Set during the Kadamba dynasty, Kantara Chapter 1 explores mythological themes centuries before the events of the original film. Veteran Malayalam actor Jayaram plays the Bangra kingdom’s king, delivering a critically acclaimed performance alongside Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah.

Technical Brilliance and Epic Scale

One of the film’s major highlights is an elaborate war sequence featuring over 500 skilled fighters and 3,000 people. This ambitious scene was shot over 45-50 days in a specially constructed town spanning 25 acres in rugged terrain, with assistance from national and international specialists.

Released in seven languages including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English, Kantara Chapter 1 continues its triumphant run at the box office.