Sunit Jangir

Sunit Jangir

234 Articles

As a Senior Editor at Sacnilk, Sunit Jangir leads our coverage on Indian cinema, box office analytics, and global entertainment trends. Passionate about Cricket, Sunit Jangir is an avid sports lover. He finds inspiration in other people's life stories and try to absorb them. Though introvert by nature, he doesn't feel shy when the topic is cinema and sports, particularly cricket.

Articles Written By Sunit Jangir

Kantara Chapter 1 Nears the End of Its Glorious Box Office Run After Crossing 850 Crore Worldwide
203 days ago
Sandalwood

Kantara Chapter 1 Nears the End of Its Glorious Box Office Run After Crossing 850 Crore Worldwide

Bengaluru, November 18 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues its stunning domination at the global box office, now crossing the 850 crore worldwide mark as it heads toward the final leg of its theatrical journey. The film has already become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, and this latest milestone only further solidifies that remarkable feat. The action epic saga has grossed approximately 740 crore in India and 111 crore overseas in 47 days so far, showcasing strong acceptance not just at home but in international markets too. From its opening day itself, the film benefited from excellent word of mouth, eventually turning into a cultural wave that continued to swell week after week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu's Varanasi Set to Be One of India's Costliest Films: Budget Revealed Having already surpassed the worldwide total of Blockbuster mega blockbuster Chhaava, which grossed 808 crore, Kantara Chapter 1 had claimed the top position this year much earlier among the Indian films. Now, by crossing 850 crore globally, the film adds another shining chapter to its tally of achievements as its theatrical run begins to wind down. Produced by Hombale Films, the prequel is the 13th Indian film ever to top 850 crores worldwide, and it is likely to finish its run with this rank. It stands as a proud example of how deeply rooted Indian storytelling can achieve global resonance. The film's spiritual themes, powerful visuals, and Rishab Shetty's masterful directorial craft and acting captivated audiences far and wide. Indian Cinema Prepares For Its Most Ambitious Line-up Yet With Ramayana, Varanasi, King, and More Stay tuned...

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Producers Break Silence On Yash's Toxic Postponement Rumours
222 days ago
Sandalwood

Producers Break Silence On Yash's Toxic Postponement Rumours

Bengaluru, October 30 - The makers of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, starring Kannada superstar Yash, have reacted to the widespread rumours surrounding the film's delay. There have been rumours that the film was postponed due to production delays and other issues. The producers have officially denied all reports suggesting a postponement, confirming that the much-awaited action thriller will release worldwide on March 19, 2026, as originally scheduled, according to renowned critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh. The producers clarified that post-production work has already begun, even as Yash continues to shoot for Ramayana in Mumbai. The KGF star, who has been balancing both projects, will soon wrap up the final portions of Toxic. Once the filming is complete, the production house plans to begin full-fledged promotions in January 2026. STOP THE RUMOURS... YASH'S NEXT FILM 'TOXIC' IS *NOT* DELAYED OR POSTPONED – 19 MARCH 2026 RELEASE CONFIRMED… Spoke to the producers – #Toxic is firmly on track for its [Thursday] 19 March 2026 release, perfectly timed for the festive weekend of #Ugadi, #GudiPadwa, and #Eid.… pic.twitter.com/bG1YsvdrQY— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 30, 2025 Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic is described as a dark, stylised action-drama with a strong emotional core. Produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, the film marks a major collaboration between Yash and the acclaimed filmmaker, known for her distinctive storytelling style. The film is being shot simultaneously in English and Kannada, making it one of the most ambitious pan-Indian projects in recent times. The movie will also be dubbed in multiple Indian and international languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, to ensure a wide global reach. Over the last few weeks, several reports claimed that Toxic was facing production hurdles, with talk of creative differences and delays leading to speculation about an indefinite postponement. However, the latest clarification from the producers has firmly put those rumours to rest. The team maintains that everything is progressing smoothly and that the film is right on track for its summer 2026 release. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Crosses 3 Crore Admissions To Become Most Watched Film of 2025 In India; Tops 1 Crore Footfalls In Hindi
224 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Crosses 3 Crore Admissions To Become Most Watched Film of 2025 In India; Tops 1 Crore Footfalls In Hindi

Bengaluru, October 28 - Amid the disappointing news of early OTT release, Risabh Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues to draw big crowds in theatres. In a massive milestone, it has become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, beating the Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 has been one of its kind phenomena for Kannada cinema. The film's box office juggernaut has made it the most-watched Indian title of 2025 in theatres. In 26 days so far, the film has sold approximately 3.20 crores tickets in India across all languages, beating Chahava's 3.10+ crores admissions to become the number 1 movie of 2025. Kantara Chapter 1 is the second movie of 2025 and the ninth film in the post-pandemic era to top 3 crores (30 million) footfalls at the Indian box office. Yash-fronted KGF Chapter 2 remains the biggest blockbuster with over 5 crores admissions, and it, along with Kantara 2, is the only Kannada film of all time to reach 3 crores admissions. The prequel to 2022's blockbuster has also topped 1 crore (10 million) footfalls in the dubbed Hindi version, becoming the first South Indian film of 2025 to do so. The original Kannada version is the number 2 with around 80 lakh admissions, while Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions have sold over 1.30 crores tickets so far. Meanwhile, the film has grossed approximately 817 crores worldwide, including around 707 crores in India and 110 crores overseas, after 26 days. It was well on course to finish with 875+ crores worldwide, but the target now looks difficult after makers confirmed its digital release from October 31 in South Indian versions. Stay tuned...

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Opinion: How An Eight-Week Theatrical Window Could Reshape South Indian Cinema's Future
224 days ago
Sandalwood

Opinion: How An Eight-Week Theatrical Window Could Reshape South Indian Cinema's Future

Mumbai, October 28 - The South Indian film industry has been at the forefront of India's box office resurgence over the past few years after facing the setback from the Covid-19 pandemic. From crowd-pullers like KGF 2, RRR, and Pushpa 2 to record-breaking phenomena like Kantara Chapter 1, these films have consistently drawn large numbers of audiences back to theatres. Yet, despite the success of tentpole blockbusters, the theatrical run of such films is being cut short far too soon due to premature OTT releases. This growing trend poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the theatrical ecosystem. After the pandemic, the entertainment industry, especially theatrical exhibition, was among the worst-hit sectors. Theatres across the country were shut for months, and filmmakers were left with no choice but to take an alternative route to recover costs. This was when digital platforms emerged as a boon, offering an immediate solution for film releases. However, this was never a long-term solution, given the limited financial returns from OTT platforms compared to theatrical revenue. Once the pandemic eased and normalcy returned, it became crucial for filmmakers to go back to basics and rebuild the theatrical business and help the sector recover from the pandemic blow. Bollywood was the first to do so, reinstating the pre-COVID norms and maintaining an eight-week theatrical window before films headed to OTT. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about South Indian cinema, where most films continue to follow a four-week window. This shortsighted approach has severely impacted theatres, particularly in Karnataka, where exhibitors are struggling to draw audiences back, especially for mid and small-budget films. Viewers are now aware that a film will be available to stream online within a month, which discourages them from visiting theatres. While producers might still manage to recover their budgets and earn quick profits through early digital deals, this strategy is proving disastrous for exhibitors. Theatres are the proven backbone of the film industry's economy, and neglecting their long-term survival will ultimately harm everyone involved. The time has come for theatres in the South to take a decisive step and insist on a longer theatrical window, just as Bollywood has done to some extent. A uniform minimum eight-week window can help sustain the box office momentum and restore the balance between filmmakers, exhibitors, and audiences. South Indian cinema, just like any other film industry, has built its reputation on big-screen spectacles and community-driven experiences. To safeguard that magic and ensure the future of theatrical viewing, exhibitors and filmmakers must reunite for better planning. Protecting the theatrical window is not merely about the film business; it's about keeping alive the very essence of cinema that audiences love and celebrate. Stay tuned...

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Kantara Chapter 1 On OTT: A Questionable and Disappointing Move From Makers of Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster
225 days ago
Sandalwood

Kantara Chapter 1 On OTT: A Questionable and Disappointing Move From Makers of Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster

Bengaluru, October 27 - The exhibitors of Karnataka finally had a moment of joy this year with Rishab Shetty-fronted Kantara Chapter 1 doing excellent business and bringing people to theatres in big numbers. They were hoping for more to come, but their happiness has been cut short by a disappointing and questionable move by the makers. Despite the film continuing its very good run and showing remarkable stability across regions, the team has decided to drop it on the OTT platform much sooner than expected. At a time when almost every South Indian film is dropping on OTT after just four weeks of its theatrical release, Kantara Chapter 1 had the perfect chance to break the trend. The Rishab Shetty directorial was still performing excellently at the box office, showing no signs of slowing down even in its fourth weekend. With a strong hold and exceptional word of mouth, the film was well on its way to extending its glorious run and setting new benchmarks for long theatrical sustainability in the post-pandemic era. In its fourth weekend alone, the film grossed over 30 crores domestically, with nearly half of that coming from the Kannada version. These are solid numbers for a film that opened to massive numbers in its initial week, proving its continued dominance and audience connection. A longer exclusive theatrical run could have easily pushed the film's lifetime total significantly higher, adding many more crores to its already stellar tally. However, the makers have now officially confirmed the film's OTT release. The period folk actioner will drop on Amazon Prime Video on October 31st in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions, four weeks after its release. This decision comes across as both disappointing and questionable, especially considering the film's ongoing momentum at the ticket windows. In opting for an early digital release, the team may have left considerable box office potential untapped, undermining what could have been an even more historic run. Beyond the numbers, this move also affects exhibitors, particularly in Karnataka, where Kantara Chapter 1 has been a saviour amid a dull theatrical year. A longer theatrical run would have benefited both the film's legacy and the local theatre chains, reinforcing the power of strong content to sustain on the big screen. Instead, this shortened window feels like a missed opportunity for both the industry and the film's makers, and more importantly, for the theatre ecosystem, which has been struggling this year in Karnataka. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Outgrosses Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava To Become Highest-Grossing Indian Film of 2025
226 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Outgrosses Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava To Become Highest-Grossing Indian Film of 2025

Bengaluru, October 26 - Hombale Films' period folk actioner Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to create history at the box office. The film has now surpassed the lifetime worldwide collection of Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna's Chhaava to emerge as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The prequel, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, has been performing exceptionally well across all markets, showing remarkable hold even in its fourth week. On its 25th day, Kantara: Chapter 1 has overtaken Chhaava, which had finished its lifetime run with a total of around 808 crore. With this feat, the film has rewritten box office records for the year by becoming the biggest Indian grosser. The movie's collections have been rock solid in the Hindi belt and the South, with overseas markets adding significantly to its global tally. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara 2 became the first film to cross the 200 crore mark in Karnataka, and currently stands at around 235 crores in 25 days. The Hindi belt has performed equally good with collections more or less similar to Karnataka gross, while it is also strong in Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The film has drawn praise for its powerful storytelling, cultural depth, and Rishab Shetty's commanding performance. Despite facing competition from several big-ticket releases in October, the film maintained extraordinary momentum due to strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. Its success across languages has made it a true pan-India phenomenon. With this milestone, Kantara: Chapter 1 not only becomes the top-grossing film of 2025 but also joins the elite list of Indian films to cross 800 crore worldwide. The movie's theatrical run is still far from over, as the movie aims to finish around 875 crores worldwide. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Storms Past 200 Crore Net In Hindi
227 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Storms Past 200 Crore Net In Hindi

Mumbai, October 25 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 has achieved yet another historic milestone, becoming the first South Indian film of 2025 to enter the 200 crore net club in Hindi. The film continues to maintain a solid hold even in its fourth week, proving the lasting power of word-of-mouth. On its 24th day (4th Saturday), the period folk actioner added an estimated 4.25 crore net, pushing its Hindi total beyond 200 crore. With this, the Rishab Shetty starrer has become only the sixth South Indian film ever to achieve this feat in Hindi, joining the elite ranks of Baahubali 2, KGF Chapter 2, Pushpa: The Rise, RRR, and Kalki 2898 AD. The consistency in its collections is a testament to its wide acceptance across audiences and its strong emotional connection. Overall, it is the 45th film of all time to hit 200 crores in net collection in Hindi. The last film to hit the milestone was Saiyaara. The film's performance is even more impressive considering the limited promotional campaign and its deeply regional setting. What started as a folklore-driven story from coastal Karnataka has grown into a nationwide cinematic phenomenon, resonating with viewers for its authenticity, music, and spiritual themes. Rishab Shetty's direction and performance have both been universally praised for blending realism with divinity in a way rarely seen on the big screen. As the film continues its glorious run, it stands as a shining example of how rooted storytelling can break all language barriers and achieve pan-India success. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Remains Rock Solid Amid Competition At The Hindi Box Office: Set To Enter 200 Crore Club
229 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Remains Rock Solid Amid Competition At The Hindi Box Office: Set To Enter 200 Crore Club

Mumbai, October 23: Rishab Shetty's mega blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 is set to enter the 200 crores net club at the Hindi box office in the coming days as it continues its glorious march, showing remarkable resilience. Despite new competition from Bollywood Diwali releases, the period action drama has managed to hold its ground strongly across the northern circuits. After two weeks of consistent performance, Kantara Chapter 1 faced competition from Thamma and Deewaniyat during the Diwali festive week. Yet, the Hindi-dubbed version of the film remained strong, scoring approximately 26 crores net from the third Friday to Wednesday. In 21 days so far, the film has scored approximately 189 crore net in Hindi and is inching towards the coveted 200 crore milestone. The film's positive word-of-mouth and devotional storytelling have contributed to its sustained success across regions. In multiplexes and single screens alike, Kantara Chapter 1 continues to draw crowds, with minimal drops even during weekdays. The film's blend of spirituality, folklore, and raw action has struck a universal chord with audiences across languages. Kantara 2 will become only the second Kannada movie after KGF 2 to reach 200 crores net in Hindi. With this feat, Rishab Shetty has reaffirmed his status as one of the most formidable creative forces in Indian cinema. The film has already surpassed the lifetime Hindi collections of several major pan-India titles, including 2.0, which minted around 188 crores net. Meanwhile, the blockbuster prequel is heading towards the 800 crores milestone at the worldwide box office and has become the biggest Indian grosser of the year. It has grossed over 770 crores after 21 days, and will become the biggest grosser of 2025 during the 4th weekend. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 Sets Up Release Date In English; Theatrical Runtime Reduced
230 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 Sets Up Release Date In English; Theatrical Runtime Reduced

Bengaluru, October 22 - Kannada actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 is running riot at the box office, and heading towards becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year worldwide, having already grossed over 750 crores in 20 days. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 was released in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil languages, and it has been performing well in every version. Now, to cash in on the glowing word of mouth among the international audience, the makers have set up a release in English. On Wednesday (October 22), Hombale Films took to social media to confirm the blockbuster prequel will be hitting worldwide cinemas on October 31st in the dubbed English version. It will release with a shortened runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes, while the original runtime is 2 hours and 49 minutes. It needs to be seen how this latest strategy works for the film, as most of the target audience has already watched it. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 is the prequel to 2022's blockbuster Kantara, which grossed over 400 crores worldwide. The latest blockbuster was released amid solid buzz, which translated into massive footfalls in cinemas as it is currently the second most-watched Indian title of the year, behind Chhaava. It will become the biggest grosser as well as the most-watched in the coming days. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Enters All-Time Greats List Alongside Baahubali 2, KGF 2 and Jailer At The Domestic Box Office
233 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Enters All-Time Greats List Alongside Baahubali 2, KGF 2 and Jailer At The Domestic Box Office

Bengaluru, October 19: Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues its historic box office journey by achieving yet another remarkable milestone domestically. The film has now become only the fourth movie ever to gross over 50 crores each in South Indian states, solidifying its place among the all-time greatest blockbusters. On its 3rd Sunday (18th day), the period folk action thriller topped the 50 crores mark in Kerala, after already breaching the milestone in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh/Telangana. This rare achievement places Kantara Chapter 1 in the same elite league as Baahubali 2, KGF: Chapter 2, and Jailer, the only other films to have achieved this feat. With this, Rishab Shetty's magnum opus has truly transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, emerging as a pan-South Indian phenomenon. It is also only the second Kannada movie to top 50 crores in Kerala after KGF Chapter 2. The film, produced by Hombale Films, has already rewritten record books in Karnataka, where it has grossed over 200 crores, becoming the highest-grossing movie ever in the state. Its performance in the neighbouring markets, along with North India, has been equally outstanding. After Karnataka, the prequel has also topped the 200 crores mark in the Hindi belt on its 18th day, and topped 100 crores gross in Telugu states. In Tamil Nadu, the film's sustained run despite multiple new releases speaks volumes about its strong audience connection. Kantara Chapter 1's blend of folklore, action, and spiritual mysticism continues to resonate deeply with audiences across linguistic lines — a feat few films have managed to achieve in recent times. With the festive season ongoing, the movie is far from its end and is on course to become the biggest Indian grosser of the year. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Tops Historic 200 Crore Gross In Karnataka
233 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Tops Historic 200 Crore Gross In Karnataka

Bengaluru, October 19: Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1's box office juggernaut has created history as it has become the first movie ever to reach 200 crores gross in Karnataka. The period folk action thriller has stormed past the coveted mark in the state in 18 days. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara: Chapter 1 has outperformed every film released in the region to date, including its own predecessor Kantara (2022), which was itself a massive blockbuster. The film's phenomenal local run underscores the franchise's unmatched hold over the Kannada box office. The prequel to Kantara amassed around 199 crore gross the Karnataka in 17 days and has now crossed 200 crore gross in the state at the time of penning this piece. The original Kantara was previously the biggest grosser in the state with 183.60 crores. The film's success has been powered by glowing word-of-mouth, repeat audiences, and a strong cultural connection with local viewers. High occupancy across major cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, and Mysuru, coupled with premium ticket pricing, has further amplified collections. Beyond Karnataka, Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its dream run nationwide, crossing the 500 crore gross mark across India, making it one of the most successful Indian films of 2025. Worldwide, it has crossed 700 crores, becoming the second Indian film of the year to do so after Chhaava. With its combination of folklore and raw emotion, Kantara: Chapter 1 has reaffirmed Rishab Shetty’s place as one of Indian cinema’s most visionary storytellers. The film's achievement in Karnataka is not just a commercial milestone but a cultural moment—one that will be remembered for years to come. Stay tuned...

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Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Vs Kantara Karnataka Box Office Comparison
236 days ago
Sandalwood

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Vs Kantara Karnataka Box Office Comparison

Bengaluru, October 15 - In a remarkable feat, Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 has emerged as the highest-grossing movie ever in Karnataka, surpassing its predecessor Kantara, which itself had an extraordinary run back in 2022. The original Kantara started on a slow note at the box office but soon turned into a cultural and commercial phenomenon across Karnataka and other Indian markets, driven by exceptionally strong word of mouth. Kantara Chapter 1, serving as a prequel to that story, stands as a testament to the legacy the first film created. The latest blockbuster has not only rewritten box office history in the state but is also poised to become the first film to cross the 200 crore mark in Karnataka — an unprecedented achievement. When comparing both films' state runs, it's clear that the prequel has dominated the early weeks by a massive margin. However, while the original Kantara displayed incredible longevity with minimal drops week after week, Kantara Chapter 1 is more front-loaded, owing to its record-breaking opening. The prequel is expected to drop around 55% in its second week — still a solid hold — whereas the first film had shown growth during the same period, maintaining its momentum through sustained audience love. Kantara Box Office Comparison Karnataka Box Office Comparison Between Kantara and Kantara Chapter 1 Week Kantara GBOC Kantara Chapter 1 GBOC 1st Week₹ 34.00 Cr₹ 130.75 Cr 2nd Week₹ 46.40 Cr (+36.47%)₹ 58.65 Cr (-55.14%)* expected 3rd Week₹ 39.40 Cr (-15.08%)₹ - Cr Note: Table will be updated in due time. Given the current trajectory, Kantara Chapter 1 is on course to collect over 250 crores at the Karnataka box office — a record that may remain unbeaten for years to come. At the worldwide box office, the film is heading towards the 700 crores mark and will be aiming to outgross Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava (808 crores) to become the biggest Indian grosser of the year. Stay tuned...

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