Kantara Chapter 1 box office day 2: Rishab Shetty film crosses ₹90 crore
Kantara Chapter 1 crosses ₹90 crore in 2 days, becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film of the year so far with strong pan-India momentum.
Kantara Chapter 1 has kept its strong run at the box office on the second day. The Rishab Shetty film, released on Dusshera, crossed ₹90 crore in just two days across India. On Friday, the film collected over ₹32 crore net, as per early estimates. Despite the expected drop after the holiday, it drew large crowds in most cities.
Kantara Chapter 1 box office update
The prequel opened at ₹60 crore on Thursday, making it one of the biggest openings for a Kannada film. Out of this, ₹18 crore came from the Kannada version and ₹19 crore from the Hindi-dubbed version. Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam versions also contributed well, making Kantara Chapter 1 a pan-India success.
By Friday evening, the film reached ₹94.71 crore net in India. It has already beaten the collections of “Su From So,” which had made ₹92 crore last month. Overseas earnings have also added to the momentum, with around $2 million collected in two days. According to posts online, shows were running full in the Gulf, the US, and parts of Europe.
Social media videos suggest long queues outside theatres in Bengaluru and Mumbai. Students in Delhi and Pune also shared posts celebrating the film’s visuals and sound design. Some viewers called it an “immersive big-screen experience,” though the reactions were shared informally online.
The film and its background
Kantara Chapter 1 is written and directed by Rishab Shetty. It is a prequel to his 2022 blockbuster Kantara, which had earned more than ₹400 crore worldwide on a small ₹15 crore budget. The new film is set nearly a thousand years before the events of the first story. It explores the roots of the folklore shown in the original. The cast includes Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah.
The original Kantara became a cultural phenomenon in 2022. Students across campuses screened it in informal gatherings and celebrated its unique mix of mythology, tradition, and action. Many considered it a turning point for Kannada cinema’s presence in pan-India markets. Kantara Chapter 1 has built on that reputation, with trade analysts calling it the “true test of Kannada cinema’s reach.”
As per student sources in Bengaluru, campus film clubs are already planning group viewings. This shows how strongly the film is resonating with younger audiences.
Why this success matters
The success of Kantara Chapter 1 highlights the growing importance of regional cinema in India. Kannada films, which once had a smaller reach outside Karnataka, are now competing with big Hindi and Telugu productions. The film’s performance also shows the value of holiday releases. Dusshera gave it a strong start, and word of mouth seems to be sustaining the demand.
According to posts online, theatre owners are adding extra shows in key markets like Hyderabad, Kochi, and Chennai. This indicates high demand even beyond the Kannada-speaking belt. The global earnings also reflect how Indian diaspora audiences are supporting regional films.
If this momentum continues, Kantara Chapter 1 may soon cross the ₹200 crore mark within its first week. Industry experts believe it could even become one of the top five highest-grossing Indian films of the year.
Conclusion: The outlook for Kantara Chapter 1
In just two days, Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed ₹90 crore in India and earned praise across regions. The film’s mix of folklore, action, and visuals seems to be connecting with both students and families. With strong overseas collections and added shows in domestic markets, its golden run may continue in the weeks ahead. If it maintains this pace, Kantara Chapter 1 could become not only the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025 but also a defining pan-India hit.
