The cinematic phenomenon that is Kantara: Chapter 1, helmed by actor-director Rishab Shetty, continues its record-breaking spree, now surpassing a remarkable Rs 600 crore in worldwide box office earnings. This mythological period drama has captivated viewers, earning its place as the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 thus far. The success builds upon the legacy of its predecessor, Kantara, which was a massive hit, grossing Rs 400 crore against a budget of only Rs 15 crore.
Kantara: Chapter 1 has demonstrated exceptional commercial prowess. Within its first 11 days, the film had already amassed an astounding Rs 655 crore globally. Projections suggest the 12-day worldwide gross figure is nearing Rs 675 crore. Domestic collections alone crossed the Rs 450 crore mark by the second week, with international markets contributing significantly to its success. The makers reported an impressive Rs 146 crore gross from the second weekend alone.
Key to the film’s epic scale is its elaborate war sequence, a massive undertaking involving over 500 combatants and 3,000 participants. Filmed over nearly two months in a custom-built town spanning 25 acres, this segment is being hailed as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious productions. The film features compelling performances from Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara, under Shetty’s masterful direction. The technical brilliance, including the score by B Ajaneesh Loknath, cinematography by Arvind Kashyap, and production design by Vinesh Banglan, adds depth to the narrative. Kantara: Chapter 1 reached a wide audience upon its October 2 release across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English.