Kantara Chapter 1 Collection, Review LIVE Updates: Rishab Shetty film crosses Rs 100 crore mark in India

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 32.86 crore as of 8 pm on Friday. The total collection of the film in India stands at Rs 94.71 crore.

Film producer Sreenivasa Kumar posted on X, "#KantaraChapter1 hits the bullseye right on target from the very beginning. What a performance from Rishab garu and team… literally transports us to a different world. Those visuals and the music keep haunting. Congratulations to the entire team…"

Cricketer Varun Chakaravarthy's tweet read,"#Kantara has to be one of the best representation and portrayal of the many diverse and intricate cultures of our Indian land in every possible angle!!! Fantastic and mind blowing!!!@shetty_rishab @KantaraFilm."

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 27.31 crore as of 7 pm on Friday. The total collection of the film in India stands at Rs 89.16 crore.

Ram Gopal Varma shared on X, “KANTAAAARRRAAA is FANTAAAASTICCCC .. All FILM MAKERS in INDIA should feel ASHAMED after seeing the UNIMAGINABLE EFFORT @Shetty_Rishab and his team put in the BGM, SOUND DESIGN, CINEMATOGRAPHY , PRODUCTION DESIGN and VFX ..Forgetting the CONTENT which is a BONUS, their EFFORT alone deserves #kantarachaoter1 to be a BLOCKBUSTER .. HATS OFF TO @HombaleFilms for uncompromisingly backing the creative team and HEY @Shetty_Rishab , I can’t decide whether you are a GREATER DIRECTOR or a GREATER ACTOR.”

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 24.53 crore as of 6 pm on Friday. The total collection of the film in India stands at Rs 84.53 crore.

Actor Aadhi tweeted, "#KantaraChapter1 is rooted, original, and truly magnificent! The cast shines, along with the finest visuals, BGM, and editing. @shetty_rishab sir, your passion shows in every frame. Huge kudos to @hombalefilms and the team!"

Director Maruthi said via X, "#KantaraChapter1 is cinema at its rawest and finest. Such a brilliant effort from the team… Especially @shetty_rishab garu and @rukminitweets who steal the show all the way ….  You can see the passion and effort behind every scene crafted with so much detail…They truly deserve all the love pouring in from the audience!!! Hearty Congratulations success streak @hombalefilms & team #Kantara."

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 20.56 crore as of 5 pm on Friday. The total collection of the film in India stands at Rs 80.56 crore.

Nivin Pauly posted on X, "What a film! Absolutely stunning...Huge congrats, @shetty_rishab & team. And Happiest birthday to the pillar behind this epic, @VKiragandur. Your vision is changing the game. @hombalefilms #KantaraChapter1."

A fan shared via X, "One word for #KantaraChapter1:- Marvelous. Bollywood directors even in their wildest dreams including Rajamouli and others will never ever be able to make a movie like Kantara. This man and his excellence in the hold of cinema?. @shetty_rishab, I'm falling short of words to illustrate what I witnessed today in theatre. This man deserves a National award, otherwise it will be a sheer disrespect of cinema."

Replying to Yash's appreciation post for the film Kantara, Rishab Shetty wrote, "Your journey and vision has always been an inspiration, sir. To witness your achievements today fills me with pride. Thank you for always standing by me and supporting my work."

Actor Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna posted on X, "Your magic unfolds yet again—loving the roaring sound of #KantaraChapter1 openings! The divine blessings are upon you, and I wish the entire team a stupendous time of celebration."

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared via X, "#KantaraChapter1 has fared very well on Thursday, although expectations were higher due to the franchise factor and the big holiday [#Dussehra - #GandhiJayanti]. The first part [#Kantara], released in 2022, was a massive success in the #Hindi belt… However, unlike #KGF or #Pushpa, both front-loaded films, #KantaraChapter1 falls into the 'word-of-mouth' category of films, and in that respect, its start can be termed strong. In fact, a section of the trade was expecting an opening in the ? 12 cr+ range, given the strictly okay advances, which only picked up pace a day before release... However, strong spot bookings, walk-ins, and phenomenal word of mouth turned the tide on release day. #KantaraChapter1 is expected to witness strong gains on Saturday and Sunday, going by the audience feedback. #KantaraChapter1 [Week 1] Thu Rs 18.50 cr. #Hindi version | #India biz | Official Nett BOC | #Boxoffice."

Trade site Sacnilk updated that on Day 2, by 2pm, Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 earned around Rs 11.39  Cr India net on for all languages at the box office. The film's morning show's occupancy for Kannada was 60.03%.

X user posted, "Impulsive. Vengeful. Jealous. Perpetually Drunk and Naive of the threat that looms around the corner. Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara was brilliant!#KantaraChapter1."

Actor Yash shared via X, "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 congratulations to @VKiragandur sir and @hombalefilms. Your vision and unconditional support for ambitious projects are continually raising the industry's bar. @rukminitweets and @gulshandevaiah, you delivered brilliant, powerhouse performances. @AJANEESHB, your music breathes life into those frames. Arvind Kashyap, your spectacular camera work brought that world to life. Excellent work by Jayaram, Pramod Shetty, Prakash Thuminad and the entire cast and crew. Light moments Rakesh Poojary gave to this film now stand as a fitting tribute to his talent. Together, you all have crafted absolutely phenomenal cinema!"

A fan posted on X, "I was hesitant to go to the cinemas as the trailer wasn't intriguing enough for me. But, the experience I had in the cinemas literally shook me and i had no words left to describe the kind of experience I had !! Truly one-man show @shetty_rishab!! Also, it is almost impossible to pull something like this post 'Kantara' and Very risky play as well cause any slight deviation or mistake could have brought havoc .But Rishab shetty's conviction, writing, acting & the making ( whole team ? ) made the 'Kantara chapter 1' even more impactful than the original 'kantara'. Man I had the uncontrolled-tears when 'Karme-Rayiga' song was playing."

Here are a few myths and realities about Bhoota Kola. Rishab Shetty’s performance in the climax of Kantara 2 was impactful. Jumping from one corner to the other with ferocity, the brilliance of the sequence resonated deeply with those who have witnessed the folk of Bhoota Kola. As per myth and evidence, the spirit that he carried in his body was of Guliga, the companion soul of Panjurli, the guardian deity. Panjurli is the protector and a powerful force of justice. Represented by a boar's face, he is said to be an incarnation of Vishnu and a spirit blessed by Shiva and Parvati. Guliga, on the other hand, is known as the Kshetrapala who wards off evil spirits. He was born from a stone in Parvati's ash, but was cursed by Vishnu due to his extreme hunger and destructive nature. People in Tulu Nadu worship him along with Panjurli during Bhoota Kola.

Ace director Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted via X, "KANTARA Chapter 1 is a true MASTERPIECE ? INDIAN cinema has never seen anything like this before. It's a cinematic thunderstorm, raw, divine, and unshakable. Rishab shetty delivers a true one-man show, crafted and carried single-handedly ?@shetty_rishab Special mention to the BGM by @AJANEESHB."

Kantara: Chapter 1's climax scene has the title revelation of Kantara Part 3, which will be called Kantara: A Legend  – Chapter 2. But in a recent interview, when the filmmaker was asked about Kantara Part 3, he expressed that Part 3 will only happen if there is something new. He mentioned that he doesn’t want to make anything that looks repetitive. Even if it is expected to come, Rishab clarified that Kantara 3 will be made if something better comes along the way. 

"I don't want to keep doing anything repetitive. I won't do Part 3 unless there's something better and meaningful to explore. That is exactly why we are doing the prequel, because it felt natural, because the world of Kantara has a lot of depth. But simply making Kantara 3 because of demand? That's not something I want to do," shared Rishab Shetty in an interaction with Subhash K Jha.

A movie theatre in Oakville, west of Toronto, has announced that it has cancelled all screenings of Indian and south Asian films, including OG and Kantara, following two violent attacks on its premises last week. ALSO READ

Rishab Shetty received flak for its portrayal of women, particularly the character played by Sapthami Gowda. "I don’t agree when you say that Kantara is a man’s world. The character of the mother (played by Manasi Sudhir) in the first film was very prominent. The character of the daiva nartak is key in the story but the mother’s role is also very important," shared the actor-director speaking to News18 Showsha.

Hombale Group shared via X, "Dear Kantara Family and Cinema Lovers, #KantaraChapter1 is as much yours as ours, and your love has made it truly unforgettable. We humbly request you not to share/record videos from the film and not to encourage piracy. Let’s keep the magic of Kantara alive in theatres, so everyone can feel it the way it was meant to be. Experience #BlockbusterKantara only in cinemas."

Kantara Chapter 1, the prequel to Kantara (2022), opened with a bang at the box office. Breaking all Bollywood records, this Dussehra release has left behind both Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava and Saiyaara. Beating the record of Saiyaara’s opening day, Rishab Shetty's film is also set to give a tough competition to Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG, which is in its second week.

Rishab Shetty's film tentatively made made Rs 18 Cr in Kanaada, Rs 12.5 Cr in Telegu, Rs 19.5 CR in Hindi, Rs 5.25 Cr in Tamil and Rs 4.75 Cr in Malayalam on the Day 1 of it's release. The date were shared by trade site Sacnilk.

Rishab Shetty's film has had a thunderous start at the box office as its numbers are extremely close to Rajnikinath's last release, Coolie. On its first day of release, the film made Rs 60 crore in India.

Film producer G Dhananjeyan shared on X, “#KantaraChapter1 is a Divine Cinema giving us Goosebump Experience in multiple scenes. @shetty_rishab  sir wooow … wow… you are outstanding & our respects to you for living the role & creating magic on screen. Unbelievable. @rukminitweets is superb in a powerful role. #AjaneeshLoknath ‘s BGM is the Soul of Kantara and simply brilliant. Kudos @hombalefilms. The films is a Pan-India Blockbuster. Don’t miss to experience on big screen.”

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 53.32 crore as of 8 pm on Thursday.    

Prabhas took to Instagram and wrote, "#KantaraChapter1 is a brilliant film with outstanding performances from everyone….. The biggest blockbuster of the year. Congratulations to Rishab Shetty, Vijay Kiragandur and Hombale Films!!"

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 47.76 crore as of 7 pm on Thursday.    

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 43.28 crore as of 6 pm on Thursday.    

Shiva Rajkumar tweeted, "Kantara is the story of our land. The story of our region. Today, the fact that the entire country is praising Kantara is a matter of great pride. My congratulations to @shetty_rishab, @hombalefilms, @VKiragandur, @AJANEESHB and the entire Kantara team. #KantaraChapter1"

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 has earned Rs 37.73 crore as of 5 pm on Thursday.    

Rukmini Vasanth, who plays a pivotal role in Kantara: Chapter 1, took to Instagram to share a note. An excerpt from the note read, "Over a year ago, I had the privilege of joining the team of Kantara: Chapter 1. It has challenged me, taught me, improved the way I approach my craft and given me a new perspective on life. This film is a labour of love, painstakingly brought to life by the hundreds of people who worked day and night on it. I am so grateful to have been a part of this mesmerising film."

She added, "Rishab sir has been the rock of this project. Sir, your hard work and leadership of this magnificent film have been so inspiring. Thank you for your faith in me and for helping me through this journey."

Director Gopichandh Malineni said via X, "#KantaraChapter1 is a beautiful cinematic experience. Absolutely loved the world, the characters, and every bit of this grand spectacle. Kudos to @shetty_rishab garu for excelling in both acting & direction, @rukminitweets is brilliant and DOP #ArvindKashyap’s work is phenomenal. Congratulations to the entire team. @hombalefilms @AJANEESHB #DivineBlockbusterKantara."

Veteran actor Jayaram took to Instagram to thank fans for lauding the film. Jayaram plays King Vijayendra in the mythological prequel. He wrote, “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you for the overwhelming love, reviews, and praises you’ve showered on Kantara: Chapter 1. Your words mean more to me than I can ever express, and it fills me with immense gratitude to see the film resonate with you the way it has.”

He aded, "What makes this moment even more special is that this beautiful news has reached me today, on the auspicious occasion of Ayudha Pooja — a day that celebrates devotion, hard work, and blessings. I couldn’t have asked for a better sign of encouragement.”

Thanking Rishab for trusting him with the role, he wrote, “My heartfelt gratitude to Mr @rishabshettyofficial for trusting me in this process! All my love to the entire team who worked behind this film to make us look good. Thank you for making this journey unforgettable… this love will stay with me forever.”

Kantara 2 is doing well even in the Hindi market. The film is giving tough competition to Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which also released on Thursday. According to a report in Pinkvilla, the film is expected to close around 60-65K tickets in the national chains for the Hindi-dubbed version. However, the film has managed to finish with 75,000 tickets in PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis on the opening day. The report states that the film might get a Rs 15 crore opening in the Hindi market and can even go up to Rs 20 crore. This is likely to be way more than Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’s opening numbers, which minted Rs 4.03 crore by 3 pm.

Prasanth Varma wrote on X, “#KantaraChapter1 is not just a film, it’s a divine roar & cultural spectacle @shetty_rishab sir gave a performance of a life time with intensity, devotion & sheer brilliance!!Kudos to the producers @VKiragandur sir @hombalefilms for backing such magic. I just couldn't get those visuals off my mind and @AJANEESHB ‘s beats truly set the soul of the film ablaze. @rukminitweets brings both elegance and depth to #KantaraChapter1. Personally, One of the finest Theatrical Experiences in Recent Times..!! (sic).”

Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar described Kantara Chapter 1 as a brilliantly crafted cinematic journey. Her tweet stated, "#KantaraChapter1 is a brilliantly crafted cinematic journey that intricately blends folklore, spirituality, and human emotions into a captivating story. Rishab Shetty gives a powerful performance. The experience is further enhanced by stunning cinematography and a moving musical score. Best wishes to the entire crew behind this extraordinary tale."

Kantara Chapter 1 has been creating a rage overseas as well. The film has crossed the $500K mark in North America, which amounts to roughly Rs 4.15 crore. It opened to global audiences with North America being the first circuit to host premiere shows. The film is expected to continue its strong growth in the market in the coming days.

"Rishab Shetty crafts a visual world far beyond expectations, but pays for it with the actioner’s soul. While Rishab Shetty's 2022 movie had a soul, which communicated what it wished to say as loudly as the "Woah!" of Guliga, in Kantara 2, all that remains is the scream, as the soul flickers in and out unsteadily," read SCREEN's Kantara Chapter 1 review.

READ FULL KANTARA CHAPTER 1 REVIEW HERE

Trade site Sacnilk updated that by 2pm, Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 earned around Rs 22.46 Cr India net on its first day for all languages at the box office.

In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, National Award-winning director, actor Rishab Shetty was asked about Pan-Indian films, and he shared, "Language barriers are breaking down, and unity is happening. Films like Baahubali and Pushpa have done well, and now Telugu and Tamil films are connecting with Pan-Indian audiences. Baahubali and Pushpa, broke down language barriers and uniting audiences." He was also asked if Kantara will do better business than Baahubali and Pushpa, and he said, "I'm not into number games, and I don't think about it. Anil Thadani is distributing the film, and we'll put in efforts and hard work."

The heroine of Kantara Chapter 1 is South Indian sensation Rukmini Vasanth. Fans get to see her in the role of Princess Kanakavati. Rukmini is well known in the South, but Hindi audiences are curious about her. Rukmini works in Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu films. She made her acting debut in the 2019 film Birbal Trilogy. However, she gained prominence with the 2023 romantic drama Sapta Sagaradata Elo. The actress received the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her outstanding performance. Rukmini also delivered a stellar performance in the film Bagheera.

X user @FilmiHindustani wrote, "Watched KantaraChapter1 and I still have goosebumps. I have no words to describe what I just experienced, so I’m only sharing this pic. Sir #RishabhShetty you nailed it. You’re not just an actor… you’re GOD. #KantaraChapter1Review"

Trade analyst Sumit Kadel posted on X, "#Kantara - FORCED PREQUEL RATING -  ???? #KantaraChapter1 feels like a forced prequel that really didn’t need to be made. And if it had to be made, it should have been a deeply rooted story like the original, not one inspired by Baahubali and other period films. The first half is painfully slow and boring , you might actually need an espresso to stay awake. Even the interval block lacks any real punch. The second half is somewhat better, with two standout moments. The first is when Rishab embodies Guliga Devta  but the problem is we’ve already witnessed this exact sequence in Kantara. It feels copy-pasted, and you don’t get goosebumps this time because you’ve already experienced it before. The climax introduces an angle with Maa Chamunda Devi, which might leave the audience mildly satisfied. #RishabShetty’s  acting is decent but his direction is quite weak. The story and screenplay lack any real depth, while the twists and turns are completely predictable. The film gives the impression of being made solely to cash in on the Kantara franchise rather than out of creative necessity. There are no song nor the devotional essence and emotional intensity that made Kantara special. Even the so-called highlights are directly lifted from the original. The VFX and cinematography are quite good but the dialogues are quite cringe-worthy. Gulshan Devaiah’s entire subplot is outright ridiculous. Overall, Kantara Chapter 1 is a forced prequel that fails to elevate the legacy of Kantara. In Hindi, the film’s business is likely to be strictly average. #KantaraChapter1Review."

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared via X, "#OneWordReview...#KantaraChapter1 HINDI: OUTSTANDING. Rating: ????½ #RishabShetty delivers a stunning spectacle yet again... Blends mythology, folklore, breathtaking visuals, and powerful storytelling into an unforgettable experience. #KantaraChapter1Review. Right from its opening sequence, #KantaraChapter1 transports you into a world that is raw, divine, and majestic… The narrative is layered, the emotions run deep, and the spiritual connect is strong.#RishabShetty once again proves he is one of the finest storytellers of our times… His grip on subject, scale, and emotion is simply extraordinary. The action block just before the interval, as well as the one post-interval, deserves special mention – simply outstanding... And much like the first part, the penultimate moments are electrifying and spellbinding… An experience that lingers long after the end credits roll. As an actor, #RishabShetty is phenomenal – he lives, breathes, and owns the character... #RukminiVasanth is top-notch, delivering an excellent performance… #GulshanDevaiah is fantastic as the antagonist… #Jayaram is, as always, first-rate. #BAjaneeshLoknath's background score is one of the film's biggest pillars – it elevates every moment, guaranteeing goosebumps. #ArvindKashyap's cinematography is exceptional – capturing not just the grandeur of the landscapes, but also the finest nuances of every emotion. I would like to make a special mention of the fantastic VFX and, of course, the exceptional action sequences.?? Final word? #KantaraChapter1 is one of the finest films of 2025. UNDOUBTEDLY!"

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, Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara is set for massive collection at the domestic box office.

Jr NTR posted on X, "Congratulations to the team of #KantaraChapter1 on scoring a resounding success. @shetty_rishab sir pulled off the unthinkable by excelling both as a mindblowing actor and a brilliant director. My best wishes to the entire cast and crew, along with @hombalefilms, for fearlessly backing Rishab sir’s vision."

A fan posted a clip from Kantara Chapter 1 screening where both Rishab Shetty and his wife were seen accepting applause. Looking at the reaction, Rishab's wife broke down in tears and stepped behind him to hide her tears. A fan wrote, "Rishab Shetty's wife not able to control her tears after the premiere of #KantaraChapter1. Rishab already said in his interviews that he hardly spent time at home over the last 3 years, working hard on this project. He deserves big success!"

X user shared their review of Kantara Chapter 1, "Take a Bow #RishabhShetty! One can Either aim to be a Yash or a Neel, but this Guy Managed to be Yash and Neel both for #KantaraChapter1 at the same time! Envisioned a Challengingly Top Quality Film and Led it from the Front with his Admirable Performance!"

A fan shared via X, "Kantara Chapter 1 goes all guns blazing to show how a fantastic making can compensate for lot. The regality, grandeur, and so much intricacy gone into production trumps the visible absence of rooted core storytelling. Nevertheless #Kantara packs a punch for solid theatrical watch."

Trade site Sacnilk shared that by 10 am, Kantara: Chapter 1 has already earned around Rs 8.65 Cr India net on its first day for all languages. Given today is Dussehra, the numbers will pick up during the day.

X user shared, "Kantara Chapter 1 is truly 10x bigger than #Kantara in scale, making, and content. The visuals are breathtaking, the action sequences electrifying, and the narrative thoroughly gripping. The backstory is seamlessly woven with impactful high moments at regular intervals. Director-actor @shetty_rishab delivers a phenomenal effort, while @AJANEESHB’s music stands tall as one of the film’s greatest strengths - making this a MASSIVE cinematic experience. @hombalefilms’ uncompromised production values are clearly visible on screen, ensuring this one is set to explode at the BOX OFFICE."

Producer Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar shared via X, "Kantara Chapter 1 is a masterfully crafted cinematic experience that seamlessly weaves folklore, faith, and human emotion into a compelling narrative. Rishab Shetty delivers a commanding performance. The experience is elevated further by breathtaking cinematography and an evocative musical score. Best wishes to the entire team behind this divine saga."

X user @rohit_chowdary2 posted, "#KantaraChapter1 #Kantara (3.25/5) - Hit worthy. Very good 1st half, passable 2nd half. World building worked very well. On a flipper side, felt dragged after a point in 2nd half till climax but the technicality ties you off to the screen. Rishab Shetty is Phenomenal."