Kantara: Chapter 1’ Box Office Collection Week 1: Rishab Shetty’s Film Dominates With ₹300 Crore Milestone
Kantara Chapter 1 Worldwide Box Office Collection Day 5: Rishab Shetty’s Prequel Creates History
Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 hit the big screens on October 2 with massive pre-release buzz and has already emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 2025. The film, which had the highest-ever weekend opening in Karnataka, has now crossed the ₹370 crore mark globally just five days after release. The pace at which the movie is raking in collections indicates it might surpass the lifetime earnings of the first Kantara film.
Box Office Performance
The prequel’s domestic net collection stands at ₹255.75 crore, while the gross India collection has reached ₹307 crore. Overseas markets have also responded strongly, contributing ₹63 crore (around $7 million) to the film’s tally. This brings the worldwide gross for Kantara Chapter 1 to ₹370 crore in only five days.
This performance has already ensured that Kantara Chapter 1 overtakes the lifetime earnings of Sukumar’s Pushpa: The Rise, which grossed ₹350.1 crore worldwide. The next milestone is to beat the first Kantara’s collection of ₹407.82 crore, making it the highest-grossing Kannada film after KGF Chapter 2. Whether Kantara Chapter 1 can challenge KGF Chapter 2’s ₹1215 crore global haul remains to be seen.
About the Film
Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 serves as a prequel to the 2022 hit. Like its predecessor, it is produced by Hombale Films and boasts an ensemble cast including Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah. Set in pre-colonial Karnataka, the film delves deeper into the Bhuta Kola tradition, blending folklore with intense drama and action.
The story follows Berme (played by Rishab Shetty), a tribal warrior fighting for the autonomy of his people in Kantara. Opposing him is Prince Kulashekara (Gulshan Devaiah), whose hostility towards Berme’s mission sparks a fierce power struggle. Princess Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth) and King Rajashekara (Jayaram) add further layers to the political and emotional intrigue.
If cinema could feel like goosebumps, it’d be Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MTEsLt2M3N
— BookMyShow (@bookmyshow) October 3, 2025
Audience and Critical Reception
Audiences have praised the film’s grand visuals, culturally rich storytelling, and intense performances. While some critics noted uneven pacing, most highlighted Rishab Shetty’s masterful direction and immersive presentation of Karnataka’s folklore traditions.
With traction in both domestic and international markets, Kantara Chapter 1 appears poised to enter the list of highest-grossing Indian films ever. All eyes are now on its second weekend to see if momentum propels it past the first film’s record-breaking collection.
