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Latest updates, box office reports, and trending articles from the Kannada film industry.

Kantara Storms Past ₹600 Crore by Day 11-Surpasses Major 2025 Releases to Claim Second Spot Sandalwood
BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Kantara Storms Past ₹600 Crore by Day 11-Surpasses Major 2025 Releases to Claim Second Spot

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its record-breaking dominance at the box office, standing tall as one of 2025’s biggest cinematic triumphs. By the end of Day 11, the film has amassed an estimated ₹ 438.4 Cr in India Net ₹ 524.3 Cr of India Gross , ₹ 614.3 Cr worldwide, and ₹ 90 crore of Overseas showcasing extraordinary consistency across both metropolitan and tier-2 markets. Its gripping narrative rooted in folklore, spiritual symbolism, and cultural authenticity has struck a chord across regions, turning theatres into repeat destinations for audiences. The film’s phenomenal weekday hold demonstrates the power of strong word-of-mouth, reaffirming that rooted storytelling can compete with — and even surpass — high-budget spectacles driven by star power.The mythological action-thriller garnered more than ₹ 100 crore by performing exceptionally well in both its original and dubbed Hindi version. Even during the extended weekend, Kantara: Chapter 1 showed no signs of slowing down, raking in ₹12 crore from its original version and ₹14.25 crore from the Hindi release showcasing exceptional hold across regions despite the extended weekend phase. When compared to other top-grossing Indian films of 2025, Kantara: Chapter 1’s performance becomes even more impressive 1.Chhaava currently leads the year with around ₹807.91 crore worldwide, setting the initial benchmark for 2025 2.Kantara: Chapter 1 follows closely, having already reached ₹600+ crore worldwide by Day 11, and is projected to challenge Chhaava’s top position in the coming weeks 3.Saiyaara, which garnered around ₹570.3 crore, now trails behind Kantara, despite featuring a massive star cast and nationwide promotions 4.Coolie, with a collection in the range of ₹518 crore, holds the next position but has already been overtaken by Kantara’s 11-day figures. 5. War 2, which grossed approximately ₹364.35 crore, rounds out the top five for the year but remains significantly behind in terms of momentum and audience retention. What truly distinguishes Kantara: Chapter 1 from its contemporaries is its exceptional overseas performance. It is currently the only Indian film in 2025 with realistic chances of surpassing ₹100 crore in international markets, a milestone that even some of the biggest Hindi releases have struggled to achieve this year. This overseas surge reflects how the film’s universal themes — faith, nature, and human conflict — have resonated beyond linguistic and cultural boundaries. Rishab Shetty’s directorial vision and powerful performance have transformed Kantara : Chapter 1 into not just a regional blockbuster, but a pan-Indian and global phenomenon. With its unprecedented pace and sustained word-of-mouth, Kantara is now poised to redefine the hierarchy of 2025’s box office rankings and solidify its legacy as one of the most successful Indian films of the decade.

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Storms Past 500 Crore At The Indian Box Office; Second Film of 2025 To Do So Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Storms Past 500 Crore At The Indian Box Office; Second Film of 2025 To Do So

Mumbai, October 12 - There is no stopping Kantara Chapter 1, which continues to wreak havoc at the box office. The period folk action thriller has stormed past the 500 crores milestone domestically and 600 crores worldwide through the second weekend, becoming only the second film of the year to do so. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 has an excellent second weekend with over 100 crores gross at the Indian box office. On its second Sunday, the movie is looking to score around 45 crores, which takes its total domestic gross to over 500 crores. The prequel is expected to reach around 520 crores at the end of the day, making it the second Indian film of the year, after Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava, to breach the 500 crores mark. It has also topped 600 crores worldwide on the same day, which is the second biggest of 2025 behind Kaushal-starrer. Kantara 2 is the 15th Indian film and 8th South Indian title of all-time to hit the milestone of 500 crores domestically. The last film to achieve the feat was Chhaava, while among the South Indian titles, it was Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 - The Rule, which set the box office on fire. With the Diwali holidays, Kantara 2 is expected to stay strong, and if the momentum continues, the film stands a chance to become the biggest Indian grosser of the year, beating Chhaava. All eyes are now on how it fares during the crowded festive period at the box office. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Outsells Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan On BookMyShow During Opening Week Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Outsells Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan On BookMyShow During Opening Week

Mumbai, October 11 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues its excellent run at the box office, grossing over 500 crores worldwide at the start of the second weekend, after the big first week in India and worldwide. The first week of Kantara 2's box office run saw it competing with the biggest Indian blockbusters, as far as ticket sales are concerned. On the online ticketing platform BookMyShow, the period folk action thriller sold the third highest tickets after the first week. The film, which has emerged as a nationwide phenomenon, sold approximately 8.20 million tickets in its 8-day opening week on the platform, edging past Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan's impressive 7.65 million and Rajinikanth's Jailer (6.60 million) tickets. In the all-time BookMyShow first-week chart (since trending feature), Kantara Chapter 1 now ranks third, behind Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 and Prabhas–starrer Kalki 2898 AD, which sold 12.53 million and 8.47 million tickets, respectively. The numbers underscore the pan-India pull of Kantara Chapter 1, which has captivated audiences beyond language and region. With its rustic storytelling, cultural depth, and Rishab Shetty’s commanding performance, the film has dominated box offices so far and is expected to continue in the coming days. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Joins 500 Crore Club Worldwide, Becomes Fourth Indian Film of 2025 to Achieve the Feat Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Joins 500 Crore Club Worldwide, Becomes Fourth Indian Film of 2025 to Achieve the Feat

Bengaluru, October 11 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 has officially crossed the 500 crore milestone worldwide, marking yet another historic moment for Kannada cinema. The film, which continues to enjoy a phenomenal run across India and overseas, has reached this figure within just nine days of its release. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 has grossed around 428 crores in India and an estimated 80 crores from international markets, taking its worldwide total to over 508 crores. The film's strong word-of-mouth, repeat viewership, and spiritual intensity have made it a nationwide phenomenon, reminiscent of the first film's extraordinary run back in 2022. With this milestone, Kantara 2 has become the fourth Indian film of 2025 to enter the 500 crore club after Coolie, Saiyaara, and Chhaava. It is also only the second Kannada film ever to reach the half-a-thousand-crore mark, behind only Yash's KGF Chapter 2, which was also backed by Hombale Films. The blockbuster prequel is the 27th Indian film and 12th South Indian title ever to breach the milestone of 500 crores worldwide. The last film to join the list was Rajinikanth's Coolie in August this year. Kantara 2 is likely to enter the 600 crores club in the next few days and will become the second film of the year to do so. Rishab Shetty, who has directed, written, and starred in the film, has once again managed to strike a deep cultural and emotional chord with audiences. Kantara Chapter 2 explores the prequel storyline of the first part, delving deeper into the folklore, divinity, and power struggles that define its mystical world. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Dominates The Box Office With Nearly 500 Crore Worldwide In Extended First Week Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Dominates The Box Office With Nearly 500 Crore Worldwide In Extended First Week

Bengaluru, October 10 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues its excellent run at the global box office, wrapping up its extended first week with a superb 475 crore worldwide gross. The film, which has been running excellently in the home state, is now on the brink of entering the prestigious 500 crore club. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 has grossed approximately 403 crore in India, showcasing brilliant hold across all major markets, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and the Hindi-speaking belt. The overseas collection stands at an estimated 72 crore. With this current trend, Kantara Chapter 1 is poised to become the fourth Indian film of 2025 to cross the 500 crore global milestone, joining the elite league of Coolie, Saiyaara, and Chhaava. It is likely to enter this prestigious club by the second Friday (9 days). The film's powerful storytelling, Rishab Shetty's commanding performance, and rooted mystical world have resonated deeply with audiences, turning it into a cultural and box office phenomenon. Given its trajectory and the continued audience turnout, Kantara Chapter 1 is expected to maintain strong momentum through its second weekend. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Roars Past 100 Crore Net in Hindi, Becomes Only Second Kannada Film After KGF 2 To Do So Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Roars Past 100 Crore Net in Hindi, Becomes Only Second Kannada Film After KGF 2 To Do So

Mumbai, October 9 - After Yash-fronted KGF: Chapter 2, Hombale Films has delivered the second Kannada film to top 100 crores net collection at the Hindi box office. The period folk action thriller continues to stay strong during the weekdays and has passed the 100 crores mark in 7 days. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 started very well, scoring 18.50 crores net on its Thursday opening day. The film held strong on Friday before showing a solid jump on Saturday and Sunday to finish the opening weekend with 73.50 crores net. The positive word of mouth for the film helped it put up a good hold on Monday, before the discounted Tuesday saw it jumping by around 30% to collect over 10 crores net. On Wednesday, it maintained a strong hold, scoring approximately 8.25 crores, which pushed the total Hindi collection to around 102 crores in seven days. Kantara Chapter 1 is only the second Kannada film, after Yash-fronted KGF Chapter 2 (435 crores net) and 11th outright South Indian film ever to cross the 100 crores mark in Hindi. In 2025, the prequel to 2022's Kantara is the first Hindi-dubbed film to breach the milestone. Overall, Kantara 2, also starring Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayram, is the 136th film of all-time to cross the 100 crores net milestone in the Hindi language. The last film to enter this club was Akshay Kumar and Arshad Warsi's courtroom comedy drama Jolly LLB 3. Meanwhile, the Rishab Shetty-starrer is nearing 450 crores gross collection at the worldwide box office after 7 days. It will cross the 500 crores mark by the second Friday or Saturday to become only the second Kannada movie ever to do so, after KGF 2 (1215 crores). Stay tuned...

Kantara: Chapter 1 vs Kannada Giants — The Jaw-Dropping Box Office Numbers You Need to See Sandalwood
BY Christa Lincy 📰 News

Kantara: Chapter 1 vs Kannada Giants — The Jaw-Dropping Box Office Numbers You Need to See

The Kannada film industry,has grown tremendously over the past decade, producing films that are increasingly reaching audiences beyond Karnataka and gaining recognition across India and overseas. With the success of franchises like KGF, Vikrant Rona, and 777 Charlie, Kannada cinema has proven that regional films with compelling storytelling, strong performances, and high production values can compete with mainstream Indian cinema. Among these, Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has emerged as a groundbreaking success, capturing the imagination of audiences nationwide and setting new box office milestones. Take a look at the Box Office Collections and Milestones .Kantara: Chapter 1 has achieved phenomenal box office numbers, becoming one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time. Within the first week of its release, the film crossed ₹400 crore worldwide, surpassing the lifetime collections of previous hits, including the original Kantara and Vikram. .The opening day in India saw collections of approximately ₹74.25 crore(India Gross), with the Hindi version alone contributing around ₹20 crore .The first weekend totaled over ₹141.5 crore, with a strong Sunday showing of ₹75.75 crore (India Gross) By the sixth day, the film had firmly established itself as a pan-India phenomenon, performing exceptionally well in Karnataka and making notable contributions from non-Kannada speaking states as well as overseas markets.When compared to other top Kannada films, Kantara: Chapter 1 stands out not only for its impressive global earnings but also for its cultural resonance and widespread appeal. While KGF: Chapter 2 remains the highest-grossing Kannada film with over ₹1,200 crore worldwide, and KGF: Chapter 1, Vikrant Rona, 777 Charlie, and Su From So have all made significant marks, Kantara: Chapter 1 has set new benchmarks for regional storytelling, demonstrating that strong content combined with pan-India release strategy can drive extraordinary success. The film’s connection to local folklore, positive critical reviews, and sustained word-of-mouth buzz have played key roles in maintaining its momentum, making it a landmark achievement in the history of Kannada cinema and a clear example of how regional films are making a mark on the global stage. Top Grossers in Kannada Cinema (Worldwide)RankFilmYear Of ReleaseWorldwide Collection(Gross) 1 KGF: Chapter 22022₹ 1215 Cr 2Kantara: A Legend Chapter-12025₹ 415 Cr(As ofDay 7)3Kantara2022₹ 407.82 Cr4KGF: Chapter 12018₹ 238.00 Cr5Su From So2025₹ 121 Cr6777 Charlie2022 ₹ 102.75 Cr7Vikrant Rona2022₹ 100.35 Cr When compared to other top Kannada films, Kantara: Chapter 1 stands out not only for its impressive global earnings but also for its cultural resonance and widespread appeal. While KGF: Chapter 2 remains the highest-grossing Kannada film with over ₹1,200 crore worldwide, and KGF: Chapter 1, Vikrant Rona, 777 Charlie, and Su From So have all made significant marks, Kantara: Chapter 1 has set new benchmarks for regional storytelling, demonstrating that strong content combined with pan-India release strategy can drive extraordinary success. The film’s connection to local folklore, positive critical reviews, and sustained word-of-mouth buzz have played key roles in maintaining its momentum, making it a landmark achievement in the history of Kannada cinema and a clear example of how regional films are making a mark on the global stage.

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Surpasses Kantara, Becomes 2nd Highest-Grossing Kannada Film Worldwide Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Surpasses Kantara, Becomes 2nd Highest-Grossing Kannada Film Worldwide

Bengaluru, October 8 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues to wave its magic at the worldwide box office, and is climbing new heights with each passing day. In just 6 days, the prequel has achieved a phenomenal milestone by surpassing the lifetime earnings of the original Kantara and emerging as the second-highest-grossing Kannada film of all time. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 has amassed over 410 crores gross worldwide in 6 days, overtaking Kantara (2022), which had ended its lifetime run with around 408 crores gross. The achievement becomes even more special considering that Chapter 1 has reached this mark in under a week — a feat not many Indian films have managed. After surpassing Kantara, the only film now ahead of Kantara Chapter 1 is Yash's action drama KGF Chapter 2, which remains the undisputed Kannada box office leader with a staggering 1215 crores gross worldwide. The actor's KGF Chapter 1 is 4th in the list with 238 crores worldwide. Kantara 2 has shown an excellent reception not just in Karnataka, but also in the Hindi belt, Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, and overseas markets, where audiences have lauded its storytelling, world-building, and Shetty's performance. At this pace, Kantara Chapter 1 is heading to enter the 500 crores club by the second Friday to become the second Kannada movie ever to do so. With the film's big success, Rishab Shetty has once again proven that rooted storytelling with strong cultural essence can create a massive cinematic impact on a global scale. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Hits Double Digit On Day 6 In Hindi; Tops 400 Crore Worldwide Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Hits Double Digit On Day 6 In Hindi; Tops 400 Crore Worldwide

Mumbai, October 7 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues its magnificent box office run across the domestic market. After a superb extended opening weekend and a solid hold on Monday, the film has now scored yet another good jump on its sixth day, hitting double digits in Hindi. On its sixth day (Tuesday), the Hindi version of Kantara Chapter 1 scored an estimated 10.50–11.50 crores net, jumping by +20% and maintaining a strong grip after a festive extended frame. With this, the film's total Hindi collection stands at approximately 93 crores net in just six days. The jump from Monday is good, reflecting excellent word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest, especially in mass belts and tier-2 centres. By tomorrow, it will cross the 100 crores mark in Hindi and become the first South Indian title of the year to achieve the feat. Across all versions, Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed a staggering 400 crores gross worldwide in 6 days, becoming the first Kannada film of 2025 to breach this mark. It is also the fourth Indian film of the year, after Coolie, Saiyaara, and Chhaava, to achieve this feat. The film’s success story is powered by phenomenal performance not just in Karnataka but also in North India, the Gulf, and select international markets, where the film's mystic theme and Rishab Shetty's powerful portrayal have struck a chord.

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Scored All-Time Biggest First Monday In Karnataka, Beating Baahubali 2 Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Scored All-Time Biggest First Monday In Karnataka, Beating Baahubali 2

Bengaluru, October 7 - Hombale Films' blockbuster prequel Kantara Chapter 1 is putting on a big show at the domestic box office, obliterating records in the home turf. After scoring the biggest opening weekend ever in Karnataka, the film has now delivered the all-time biggest first Monday in the state. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the period folk action thriller scored approximately 15 crores gross on its first Monday in Karnataka, which is now the biggest ever, beating SS Rajamouli and Prabhas-fronted Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion (11.50 crores gross). Yash's KGF Chapter 2 is third with 9.50 crores gross Monday collection. Kantara Chapter 1 has grossed approximately 93 crores in Karnataka in 5 days. At the time of writing this piece, the prequel to 2022's Kantara has topped 100 crores gross in the state, and has become only the 4th film ever to achieve the feat. As reported earlier, Kantara Chapter 1 is eyeing 200 crores in the home state, which will mark the first such instance. Currently, Kantara is the biggest grosser in KA with 183.60 crores gross, followed by KGF Chapter 2 with 183 crores, and Baahubali 2 with 129 crores. If the momentum continues till the second weekend, then it surely has the chance to become the first 200 crores grosser. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Day 5 Early Estimates: Maintains Strong Grip At The Box Office Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Day 5 Early Estimates: Maintains Strong Grip At The Box Office

Mumbai, October 6 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues its impressive box office run in the Hindi version, showing strong weekday hold after a solid extended opening weekend. The film, which has been riding on positive word of mouth, is maintaining steady momentum despite the usual post-weekend slowdown. After scoring approximately 73.50 crores net in its 4-day extended opening weekend, the prequel is showing a good hold on its first Monday. According to early estimates, Kantara Chapter 1 has collected around 8.50-9.50 crores net on Day 5, marking only around a 30% drop from Friday, a solid trend for a dubbed film in its first weekday phase. With this, the total Hindi collection of the Kannada blockbuster stands at around 82 crores net after 5 days. It will cross Kantara (85 crores net) on its 5th day, and will become the second biggest Kannada grosser in Hindi. The film is firmly heading towards the 100 crores mark within its first week, a feat that underlines its growing interest among North Indian audiences. Overall, the all-time collection of Kantara 2 is expected to be 35+ crores gross on day 5, as per estimates. The film's blend of rooted storytelling, grand visuals, and Rishab Shetty's powerful performance has clearly struck a chord beyond its home market. The strong hold on Monday also indicates that the film's run is far from over. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Beats Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 To Score Biggest Opening Weekend In Karnataka Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Beats Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 To Score Biggest Opening Weekend In Karnataka

Bengaluru, October 6 - Hombale Films' blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 has shattered records at the homeland box office after the excellent opening weekend. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the period folk action thriller has scored the biggest opening weekend ever in Karnataka, beating Yash-fronted KGF Chapter 2. Kantara Chapter 2, which was released on October 2nd, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and Dusshera, opened to over 20 crores gross in the state, and remained rock solid throughout the 4-day extended weekend to gross around 79 crores, which is now a record in KA. Yash's action drama, which also had the 4-day weekend, minted approximately 73.50 crores gross in the home state during its opening frame. Kantara 2 beating all-time biggest Kannada blockbuster is a major achievement as Prashanth Neel's directorial was hugely hyped before taking the box office by storm. After the opening weekend, the Kantara prequel is holding extremely well domestically, especially in Karnataka. By tomorrow (day 6th), it will cross 100 crores gross in the state and will become only the fifth movie ever to reach the milestone after Baahubali 2, KGF 1, KGF 2, and Kantara. Considering the current trend, Kantara 2 might become the first movie ever to breach the milestone of 200 crores in Karnataka, beating Kantara (183.60 crores). However, a lot will depend on how it fares in the second weekend and beyond, which will be crucial for it to achieve the ultimate glory. Highest-grossing movies in Karnataka - 1. Kantara (2022) - 183.60 crores 2. KGF Chapter 2 (2022) - 183 crores 3. KGF Chapter 1 (2018) - 135 crores 4. Baahubali 2 (2017) - 129 crores Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Eyes 300 Crore Extended Opening Weekend Worldwide After Big Saturday (Day 3) Collection Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Eyes 300 Crore Extended Opening Weekend Worldwide After Big Saturday (Day 3) Collection

Bengaluru, October 5 - Hombale Films has delivered another big blockbuster in Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1, which is heading towards 300+ crores 4-day extended opening weekend at the worldwide box office. After taking the opening of approximately 88 crores, the movie held strong on Friday with approximately 65 crores gross. On its third day (Saturday), the prequel scored solid gains of over 25% to gross an estimated 82 crores, pushing the total worldwide cumulative to around 235 crores after three days. At the domestic box office, Kantara 2 has grossed approximately 195 crores, while overseas collection is around 40 crores after three days. With the big Sunday underway, the divine blockbuster is expected to gross over 260 crores in India and 50+ crores overseas after the four-day opening frame. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 has become the third-highest-grossing Kannada movie of all time as I type this, beating Yash-fronted KGF Chapter 1 (237 crores worldwide). It is now behind only Kantara (408 crores) and KGF Chapter 2 (1215 crores) at number 3. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Day 3 Early Box Office Trends: Heading Towards Matching Opening Day Collection Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Day 3 Early Box Office Trends: Heading Towards Matching Opening Day Collection

Mumbai, October 4 - After holding well on Friday (second day), Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 is seeing a strong surge at the Hindi box office on its third day. Till afternoon, trends suggested the film was all set to come very close to, or even match, its opening day numbers. Produced by Hombale Films, the period folk action thriller has seen a 50% jump in collections today compared to Friday, with the solid momentum towards the evening and night screenings. With such growth, the film is eyeing a Saturday total in the range of 18-20 crores net in Hindi. If the night occupancy remains as strong as expected, it could not only match the opening day figure of 18.50 crores net but could even go higher. So far, the film has collected 18.50 crores on Thursday (Day 1) and 12.50 crores on Friday (Day 2), taking its 2-day Hindi total to 31 crores net. With Saturday trending upwards, the 3-day total is projected to land in the 50 crores net range, a good figure for a dubbed release, with the first weekend now heading for 70 crores net. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 is benefiting from positive word of mouth and growing curiosity around its rooted storytelling. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Scores A Good Hold On Day 2; Heads For 65+ Crore Opening Weekend Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Scores A Good Hold On Day 2; Heads For 65+ Crore Opening Weekend

Mumbai, October 4 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 scored a good hold on its second day at the Hindi box office. After taking a good opening of 18.50 crores net, the movie dropped by just around 35% on Friday, which is normal for a holiday release. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara 2 was released on a national holiday of Gandhi Jayanti and Dusshera, so the drop on its second day, which was a working Friday, is even lower in a normal scenario. It scored approximately 12.50 crores net, pushing the 2-day total to 31 crores in Hindi. The prequel, written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, is expected to show a big jump today and will look to come close to the opening day figures. Depending on how big the jump is, the film is heading for 65+ crores net opening weekend, which is a good result for a dubbed title. Kantara Chapter 1 is expected to outgross the lifetime collection of Kantara (2022), which minted approximately 84.75 crores net, in the 8-day extended week itself, and will become the second-highest-grossing Kannada movie in the dubbed Hindi version, behind only KGF: Chapter 2 (435 crores net). Meanwhile, at the worldwide box office, the blockbuster has crossed 150 crores in two days, including around 130 crores in India. It will cross 200 crores today and then will cross Yash's KGF 1 (237 crores gross) by Sunday to become the third highest-grossing Kannada movie of all-time, behind Kantara and KGF 2. Stay tuned...

Top Highest First Day South Indian Grossers At The Indian Box Office: Kantara Chapter 1 Fourteenth Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Top Highest First Day South Indian Grossers At The Indian Box Office: Kantara Chapter 1 Fourteenth

Bengaluru, October 3 - Hombale Films' period folk action thriller Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 has taken one of the biggest starts for an Indian film at the domestic box office, after grossing an estimated 75 crores on day 1 in all versions. Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 is among the top 15 biggest South Indian films and the second-highest Kannada grosser at the domestic box office. The top opening day grosser list is dominated by Telugu films, with Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 - The Rule being the number 1 and only film with 200+ crores opening. Top 10 Biggest South Indian Openers Here Are The Top Biggest South Indian Openers At The Domestic Box Office Rank Film Title Original Language Day 1 India GBOC 1.Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024)Telugu₹ 209.20 Cr 2.RRR (2022)Telugu₹ 156.00 Cr 3.Baahubali - The Conclusion (2017)Telugu₹ 152.00 Cr 4.KGF: Chapter 2 (2022)Kannada₹ 134.50 Cr 5.Kalki 2898 AD (2024)Telugu₹ 114.00 Cr 6.Salaar Part 1: Ceasefire (2023)Telugu₹ 107.10 Cr 7.Saaho (2019)Telugu₹ 105.00 Cr 8.Adipurush (2023)Hindi/Telugu₹ 102.50 Cr 9.They Call Him OG (2025)Telugu₹ 101.50 Cr 10.Devara Part 1 (2024)Telugu₹ 98.00 Cr 11.Coolie (2025)Tamil₹ 77.00 Cr 12.2 Point 0 (2018)Tamil₹ 76.60 Cr 13.Leo (2023)Tamil₹ 76.20 Cr 14.Kantara Chapter 1 (2025)Kannada₹ 74.25 Cr Stay tuned...

Superstar Yash Reviews Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1, Calls It A 'Benchmark For Indian Cinema' Sandalwood
BY Sacnilk Team 📰 News

Superstar Yash Reviews Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1, Calls It A 'Benchmark For Indian Cinema'

Bengaluru, October 3 - Kannada superstar Yash, who delivered the all-time biggest Kannada blockbuster - KGF: Chapter 2 with Homble Films, has heaped high praise for the studio's latest blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1, headlined and directed by Rishab Shetty. The prequel to 2022's blockbuster has opened to big numbers at the box office and is set for a solid opening weekend. Yash has called Kantara 2 a "benchmark for Kannada and Indian cinema", while lauding the efforts of Shetty and the rest of the team. "Rishab Shetty, your conviction, resilience, and sheer devotion are evident in every frame. As the writer, director, and actor, your vision translates into a truly immersive experience on screen—heartfelt congratulations to Vijay Kiragandur, sir and Hombale Films. Your vision and unwavering support for ambitious projects continually raise the industry's bar", the actor said. Kantara Chapter 1: The New Benchmark for Kannada and Indian Cinema. @shetty_rishab , your conviction, resilience, and sheer devotion are evident in every frame. As the writer, director, and actor, your vision translates into a truly immersive experience on screen.Heartfelt…— Yash (@TheNameIsYash) October 3, 2025 Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film explores the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the mythological lore and history explored in the first film released in 2022. Being a prequel, it delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Sets the Box Office on Fire With Near 100 Crore Global Debut Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Sets the Box Office on Fire With Near 100 Crore Global Debut

Bengaluru, October 3 - The prequel to Kantara, titled Kantara: A Legend - Chapter has opened to massive numbers at the worldwide box office. Back in 2022, the original movie took the modest start of 2.80 crores worldwide, but it did enough to set the stage for Chapter 1, which has opened to at least 30x the collection. Written, directed, and headline by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 carried solid buzz, though the initial advance booking reception was not that strong before it picked up well on the last day before the release. To boost the buzz, the makers limited paid premieres, which received a solid response. On its release day, the film started behaving like a true Pan-India blockbuster with a fantastic response across the country in every language it was released. As a result, the film has had a big opening day collection in India with an estimated 75 crores gross, including paid premieres. The opening of Kantara 2 is by far the second biggest for a Kannada film after Yash-fronted KGF: Chapter 2, which took the domestic opening of 134.50 crores gross in 2022. Overseas, the latest blockbuster has grossed an estimated 10+ crores on its day 1, making its 85+ crores worldwide start. With this near-100 crore debut, Kantara Chapter 1 has set the stage for a monumental box office run. The film is now positioned to become one of the highest openers ever for a Kannada movie. The word of mouth seems to be positive, and if the momentum continues, the movie may well rewrite several records in the coming days. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Early Box Office Trends: Exceeds Expectations Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) Early Box Office Trends: Exceeds Expectations

Mumbai, October 2 - Hombale Films' period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 is heading for a very good opening at the Hindi box office. The advance booking, which picked up well on the last day, indicated a 13-15 crores net start, but the movie has exceeded those expectations after a solid response in walk-ins. According to early estimates, the Kantara prequel is heading for a 19-21 crores net opening in the dubbed Hindi version, which can go higher depending on the single screens. The Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti holidays have propelled spot bookings, aided by positive reviews. Kantara 2 has easily taken the second-largest opening ever for a Kannada film in Hindi, after KGF Chapter 2, which exploded in 2022 with almost 54 crores net. Among the South Indian films, it will be in the top 10 biggest openers in the dubbed versions, setting itself up for a big run. The opening of the film is quite contrasting to the initial booking response, which was quite lukewarm. At that time, even a double-digit opening looked like a far cry, but the tide started to turn a day before the release when pre-sales witnessed a much-needed positive turnaround, followed by a solid spot booking response. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Takes A Massive Start At The Indian Box Office: Crosses 1 Million Tickets On BookMyShow Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Takes A Massive Start At The Indian Box Office: Crosses 1 Million Tickets On BookMyShow

Bengaluru, October 2 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 has taken an excellent start at the Indian box office. After scoring very good pre-sales, thanks to the late push, the movie exploded in the morning shows on its release day. Directed by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 had limited paid premieres, and the reception to them was excellent. Moviegoers hail the film for its technical brilliance and goosebump-worthy extended climax. The initial critics' reviews are excellent, calling it bigger and better than Kantara (2022). The initial reception at the box office is nothing short of extraordinary. It has easily taken the second biggest start ever for a Kannada movie, after Yash-fronted KGF: Chapter 2, from the same production house, Hombale Films. It will easily cross 50 crores gross domestically on day 1, but that is not the target now, and it aims to go much higher. The film is performing best in the home state, Karnataka, where it might beat the opening of KGF Chapter 2, if the momentum remains the same throughout the day. The Hindi and Kannada versions have also opened to good numbers, which makes it a true Pan-India phenomenon. On the online ticketing platform BookMyShow, Kantara 2 has already sold 1 million tickets and is selling over 60K tickets per hour, which is the peak count for any Indian film this year. With the extended holiday weekend ahead, Kantara is set for massive collection at the domestic box office. Stay tuned...

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Box Office Preview: Advance Booking and Opening Day Expectations Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Box Office Preview: Advance Booking and Opening Day Expectations

Mumbai, October 1 - Actor and director Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year, riding high on the blockbuster success of 2022's Kantara that became a cultural and commercial phenomenon across the country. The prequel promises to expand the mystical folklore universe on a much grander scale, with intense visuals and rooted storytelling that connects deeply with Indian traditions. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, and with a festive Dussehra release amid massive curiosity around how the world of Kantara began, the stage is set for a solid theatrical debut at the Indian box office, and all eyes will be on how the Hindi version of the movie fares, especially after the original movie turned into an unexpected big succees. After a slow start, the film's advance booking in the Hindi market has gained some momentum with less than a day to go for the release. So far, it has grossed approximately 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above 4 crores in pre-sales. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crores) in advance sales. With this trajectory, a double-digit opening in Hindi, which once seemed tough, is now comfortably within reach. Current trends indicate an opening day in the range of 14–15 crores net, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further. Censored with a U/A certificate and carrying a runtime of 169 minutes, the film will be released in the Hindi belt by AA Films, which has ensured a wide release across multiplexes and mass circuits alike. Despite a clash with Dharma Productions’ family entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Kantara Chapter 1 has managed to carve out a strong showcasing, thanks to its brand value and the aggressive planning by the distributor. All eyes are now on the audience reception. If the film garners positive word of mouth, Kantara Chapter 1 could turn its promising advance into a blockbuster start in the Hindi market, reaffirming the pan-India appeal of Rishab Shetty's vision. Worldwide, the film is expected to take the opening of 50+ crores. Stay tuned...

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Advance Booking: Hype Missing For Rishab Shetty-starrer Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Advance Booking: Hype Missing For Rishab Shetty-starrer

Bengaluru, September 29 - Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has generated massive excitement in Karnataka, where advance bookings are surging with several shows already sold out. However, things in the Hindi market look gloomy, unlike the social media notion. Despite the cult status of the original Kantara — which stunned the trade by becoming a sleeper blockbuster across India — the prequel is not replicating that momentum in the Hindi belt. Trade expectations were high that Kantara: Chapter 1 would score big advances and even challenge the dominance of other South Indian blockbusters with big starts in the Hindi market. It is not that South Indian films solely depend on Hindi markets to get success status, but over the last decade, many South Indian films performed exceptionally in the Hindi belt, which eventually became the highlight of their box office status. Early chatter suggested Kantara 2 would score big advances on par with other Pan-India blockbusters in Hindi, aided by the goodwill of the first instalment. Yet, so far, the response is muted. As per the current status, the Hindi version of the period action drama has managed to sell tickets worth around 50 lakh for the opening day. While this is a decent start for a dubbed Kannada film, it falls significantly short of the lofty expectations set before advance bookings opened. This eventually shows that the hype, which seemed very good on social media, is not on the ground among the general audience. With just a few days left for release, the film's Hindi prospects hinge on a late surge in bookings. If the momentum doesn't pick up, Kantara: Chapter 1 may struggle to breach the double-digit opening mark in the Hindi market. Much will depend on word of mouth, last-minute ticketing rush, and how effectively the makers push promotions in North Indian circuits before release. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Advance Booking Update Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Advance Booking Update

Bengaluru, September 25 - After scoring an unexpected big box office success with Kantara in 2022, Hombale Films announced Kantara 2, which is the prequel to the first film. Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, it has been one of the most anticipated Indian films with stakes higher than before. After going through an intense production process, the movie is finally ready to release on October 2, 2025, in multiple languages. With just a week to go before release, Hombale Films has confirmed that the advance booking of the Kantara prequel will open on September 26 in its home turf, Karnataka. The all-India booking of the film is expected to open on September 28 or 29, including the Hindi version. The dubbed Hindi version proved to be a big box office success back in 2022, with around 100 crores gross, and now, the trade is excited to see how things unfold for Kantara 2. As said, the pre-sales will go live first in Karnataka, where the movie is expected to see one of the best responses for a Kannada title. The movie is rooted in the local culture, which is a massive advantage for it in setting the box office on fire. Starring Rishab Shetty in the lead role alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah, Kantara 2's story delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the folklore and history explored in the first film released in 2022. Stay tuned...

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Strikes Big With 100M+ Views In 24 Hours In All Languages Sandalwood
BY Sunit Jangir 📰 News

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Strikes Big With 100M+ Views In 24 Hours In All Languages

Bengaluru, September 23 - Rishab Shetty's much-awaited prequel to 2022 blockbuster Kantara, titled Kantara Chapter 1, has set the internet buzzing with a thunderous response to its trailer. In the first 24 hours of release, the trailer has amassed more than 107 million views in all languages across social media platforms, becoming one of the most-watched trailers of a Kannada title. On YouTube, the trailer scored 45+ million views with the Hindi version leading the charts with a whopping 25+ million views, reflecting the pan-India reach of the franchise. The Kannada trailer, close to the heart of its native audience, raked in 8 million views, while the Telugu version secured an impressive 7.1+ million views. The Malayalam trailer of the film generated 2.1+ million views, and the Tamil version contributed another 4.5+ million views in the first full day of its release, together highlighting the film's strong presence across every regional market. With such phenomenal digital reception, Kantara Chapter 1 is already being touted as one of the most-awaited cinematic events of the year. The overwhelming response proves that Rishab Shetty's vision has not only resonated with audiences in Karnataka but also struck an emotional chord with viewers nationwide. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara 2's story delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the movie stars Shetty in the lead role alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayram in key roles. The film is scheduled to release on October 2 in multiple Indian languages. Stay tuned...

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