Kantara: Chapter 1 is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language period mythological action drama film directed by Rishab Shetty. It is a prequel to the 2022 film Kantara and explores the ancient roots of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. The story is set in pre- colonial coastal Karnataka and blends regional folklore, spirituality, and action. The film was released on October 1, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra in multiple formats including IMAX and Dolby Cinema.
Regarding the box office collection, Kantara: Chapter 1 had a very successful opening day. The film collected net earnings of over ₹60 crore in India on day 1, with some reports stating collections between ₹60 crore to ₹65 crore. It also earned over ₹4 crore from the USA premiere on the first day. The Hindi dubbed version collected around ₹19-21 crore on the opening day. This made it one of the biggest openings for a Kannada film and a major pan-India festive release.
The film stars Rishab Shetty in the lead role as a Naga Sadhu, supported by Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah. It was praised for its emotional depth, mythological themes, theatrical elements, and strong performances. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
In summary, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a mythological prequel to Kantara (2022), released in 2025 with strong box office success, earning over ₹60 crore on its first day of collection in India alone.
