Rishab Shetty’s 'Kantara Chapter 1' enters ₹300 crore club, makes history in Hindi markets
Bengaluru: It’s celebration time for Rishab Shetty and team 'Kantara Chapter 1', as the prequel to the National Award-winning Kantara has officially entered the ₹300 crore club within just six days of release.
The film has not only shattered box office records but also cemented Rishab Shetty’s position as one of India’s most powerful cinematic storytellers.
According to trade tracker Sacnilk, 'Kantara Chapter 1' has so far collected ₹316 crore globally. The Hindi version alone contributed ₹102 crore — a milestone achievement — while the Kannada version raked in ₹98.85 crore.
The rest came from its Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam versions. On Wednesday, the film earned another ₹25 crore, continuing its blockbuster run.
On its opening day, 'Kantara Chapter 1' made history by minting ₹61.85 crore, becoming the third highest opening of the year across India.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh highlighted the film’s steady performance midweek, tweeting: “100 NOT OUT TODAY… #KantaraChapter1 posts an excellent score on Tuesday, hitting double digits once again, boosted by the discounted ticket initiative [#BlockbusterTuesdays].”
With this feat, 'Kantara Chapter 1' has become the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025, surpassing Su From So (₹125 crore).
It also outperformed the lifetime earnings of other major releases this year, including Ram Charan’s 'Game Changer' and Salman Khan’s 'Sikandar'.
Directed and written by Rishab Shetty, along with Anirudh Mahesh and Shanil Guru, the film stars Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah in pivotal roles.
The prequel delves into the mystical origins of the legend that formed the heart of the original Kantara (2022).
Rishab Shetty, who won the National Award for Best Actor and Best Popular Film for 'Kantara', has once again struck a chord with audiences across languages.
With 'Kantara Chapter 1' continuing its dream run, industry experts predict it could easily cross the ₹400 crore mark within its second weekend — a rare achievement for a regional-language film with a rooted story and universal appeal.