Rishab Shetty’s highly anticipated mythological epic, Kantara: Chapter 1, has achieved a monumental box office milestone, surpassing Rs 600 crore in global collections. The film has been met with overwhelmingly positive reception, cementing its status as the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far. This success echoes the incredible performance of the original Kantara, a cult hit that earned Rs 400 crore on a budget of just Rs 15 crore.
The worldwide box office performance of Kantara: Chapter 1 has been nothing short of spectacular. Reports indicate that after just 11 days, the film had grossed Rs 655 crore globally, with projections reaching approximately Rs 675 crore by day 12. The domestic market contributed strongly, crossing Rs 450 crore within the second week, while international collections also saw a significant surge. The makers confirmed a Rs 146 crore gross figure for the second weekend alone.
A standout feature of the film is its colossal war sequence. This ambitious production involved over 500 fighters and 3,000 people, filmed over 45-50 days across a 25-acre town specially constructed in a rugged landscape. This sequence is being recognized as one of the most extensive in Indian film history. The stellar cast includes Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara, complementing Rishab Shetty’s vision. The film’s technical aspects, including music by B Ajaneesh Loknath, cinematography by Arvind Kashyap, and production design by Vinesh Banglan, are crucial to its immersive experience. Kantara: Chapter 1 premiered worldwide on October 2 in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English.