Genre: Action | Mythological Drama
Director: Rishab Shetty
Producers: Hombale Films
Release Date: 2 October 2025 (Dussehra weekend)
Languages: Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam (multi-language release)
Music: B. Ajaneesh Loknath
Main Leads: Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, Kishore
Plot Summary
Kantara: A legend- Chapter 1 serves as the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. The movie is written and directed by Rishab Shetty, who is also playing the main lead in the movie. This movie digs deep into the ancient origins of the folklore that was introduced in the 4th century. This story revolves around the divine conflict between man, nature, and godliness, exploring the mystical beginnings of the Panjurli Daiva legend.
Rishab Shetty has once again played a fierce protector figure, and this time set in an ancient world which is filled with tribal mysticism, nature worship and cosmic justice. With the stunning cinematography, immersive visuals and spiritually charged storytelling, the movie builds upon the mythic intensity of the first part.
Reception
Critics:
The movie critics across the country have praised the film’s grand vision, the breathtaking visuals and the powerful performances by the cast and crew. Many viewers have praised Rishab Shetty’s commitment to cultural authenticity and the deep spiritual tone in the movie. However, some viewers have expressed their opinion that the movie progresses slowly in the second half of the movie, and it also has a slightly convoluted narrative structure.
Average Critics’ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Audience:
The audience has responded with an overwhelming enthusiasm, especially in Karnataka and the Hindi-speaking belt. The film has become a cultural event, drawing full houses in several states during its opening weekend. The word-of-mouth has been exceptionally strong with viewers calling it a “divine experience” and “a rare cinematic ritual”.
Industry Voices:
The industry experts have described the movie Kantara: Chapter 1 as a visual masterpiece and a perfect blend of folklore with modern filmmaking. Many analysts have noted that this movie has set new benchmarks for the regional cinema’s box office reach, while also outperforming expectations even in the non-Kannada markets.
Box Office Performance
Opening Response:
The film had a successful double-digit opening weekend with record-breaking bookings and a high occupancy across the country. It has earned INR 37.24 crore net on Day 1, and it has continued to stay strong at the box office, running successfully through the weekend.
| Day | Date (2025) | Collection (India Gross) | Collection (Worldwide Gross) | Remarks / Highlights |
| Day 1 (Thursday) | 2 Oct 2025 | ₹ 61.85 crore | ₹ 89 crore (approx) | Blockbuster opening; strong across all languages; record in Karnataka |
| Day 2 (Friday) | 3 Oct 2025 | ₹ 45.4 crore | ₹ 151 crore (cumulative) | Slight drop but held steady; word of mouth remained strong |
| Day 3 (Saturday) | 4 Oct 2025 | ₹ 55 crore | ₹ 240 crore (cumulative) | 21% growth; houseful shows nationwide |
| Day 4 (Sunday) | 5 Oct 2025 | ₹ 61.5 – ₹ 61.85 crore | ₹ 325 crore (cumulative) | Crossed ₹ 300 crore worldwide in just 4 days; record weekend for a Kannada film |
| Day 5 (Monday) | 6 Oct 2025 | ₹ 9.6 – ₹ 10 crore (net) | ₹ 335 crore (cumulative) | Normal Monday drop; still strong hold in metros |
| Week 1 Total (7 Days) | — | ₹ 245 – ₹ 255 crore (India Net)₹ 270 – ₹ 280 crore (India Gross) | ₹ 350 – ₹ 370 crore (Worldwide) | Entered ₹ 350 crore club in first week; biggest post-KGF franchise hit from Kannada cinema |
Lifetime India Net: ~₹250 crore
India Gross: ~₹295 crore
Worldwide Gross: ~₹365 crore
Highlights
- The movie has achieved INR 300 crore+ worldwide gross in just four days of release.
- The movie also overtook the starting box office collection of the movie KGF: Chapter 1 and HanuMan.
- Kantara has seen a strong overseas performance, particularly in the UAE, USA and Canada.
- It has also emerged as the highest-grossing Kannada Film in 2025 in its first week.
- The strong and exceptional hold in non-Kannada markets, specially Hindi version alone has contributed over INR 50 crores.
Budget & Recovery
- Budget: INR 120 crore including the production + marketing.
- Worldwide Gross: INR 365 crore
- ROI (Return on Investment): At the present date, it is equal to 304%
- Verdict: A super duper Blockbuster
The film not only recovered its cost within the first weekend, but it also became one of the most profitable films of the year.
Music & Soundtrack
The BGM (background music) and score, along with the soundtrack by B.Ajaneesh Loknath, have received high praise for amplifying the film’s mythical tone. The tracks like “Daiva Roopa” and “Vanashakti” have become the most viral tunes for their tribal chants and the spiritual beats. The music has played a crucial role in immersing the audience into the film’s mythic world.
Industry Impact
Kantara: A Legend- Chapter 1 has reinforced the dominance of Kannada cinema in the Indian film landscape. The movie’s success has proved that rooted storytelling and authentic cultural representation can also triumph over star-driven formulas.
After such a successful performance, there are multiple regional filmmakers who have announced mythological or folklore-inspired projects while hoping to capture a similar appeal.
The movie has also set a new benchmark for visual effects and production quality in regional filmmaking, showcasing how high-concept cinema from South India is achieving a pan-India resonance.
Summary
Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 has arrived as one of the most awaited films of 2025, and it has also lived up to the massive expectations. With INR 250 crore in India and INR 365 crore globally. The film has emerged as a blockbuster while also reaffirming Rishab Shetty’s position as a visionary filmmaker.
While the movie’s mythological depth and the spiritual tone might not be the perfect appeal equally for all the audience demographics, its cinematic grandeur, cultural authenticity and the emotional power made it a landmark in Indian cinema.
Kantara: A Legend- Chapter 1 is not just a box office won, but it is also a cultural moment which redefines what the regional cinema can achieve on a global stage.
