Kantara Chapter 1, the long-awaited prequel of the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, has swept the Indian box office off its feet. Released on October 2, the Rishab Shetty-frontend movie not only met the huge expectations but also created a new benchmark for mythological dramas in Indian cinema. With its compelling story-telling, grounded cultural subject matter, and stunning visuals, the film has tapped into a deep emotional resonance with audiences across languages.
Directed by Rishab Shetty himself, Kantara Chapter 1 explores the history of the divine traditions and ancestral wars seen in the first movie. While most sequels and prequels disappoint, this mythological saga has only grown the world and deepened the story, and it is definitely a film to watch on the big screen.
As per trade reports on sacnilk.com, the movie has earned an astounding Rs 316 crore in only 7 days. The movie kicked off with a robust Rs 61.85 crore on Thursday, followed by Rs 45.4 crore on Friday. During the weekend, the momentum picked up even further, with Rs 55 crore on Saturday and Rs 63 crore on Sunday. Although the weekday collections dropped marginally, the film still registered Rs 31.5 crore on Monday, Rs 34.25 crore on Tuesday, and Rs 25 crore on Wednesday.
Supported by producers Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda on the Hombale Films platform, Kantara Chapter 1 features Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth, and Jayaram in central roles alongside Shetty. The film’s detailed dive into regional mythology, particularly the strong depiction of Daiva Guliga, has been largely appreciated. With high-quality VFX, a hauntingly gorgeous soundtrack, and an emotionally deep story, the film has further raised the bar for Kannada cinema.
Speaking on the occasion of the recent success celebration for the film, Rishab Shetty had this to say, “From the last part to this one, we visually expanded the film. I’ve always said — the more regional we go, the more global we become, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Looking back at his spirited performance, he went on to say, “This film and character were my dream, which my team turned into theirs, and now it’s the public’s dream. My energy has been transferred to the public.”
As Kantara Chapter 1 makes its way towards crossing the original’s Rs 400 crore benchmark, it’s obvious that Shetty’s vision is rewriting regional cinema’s position on the international map.
