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Actor Rishab Shetty's film 'Kantara: Chapter 1' is growing strength from strength at the box office. Here's a deep dive into its box office report, craze among fans and the journey of its starcast.
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00:00Hello and welcome to the special broadcast. I'm Akshita Nandakopal. Over the next 30 minutes
00:15we're celebrating the cultural phenomenon that's Kantara. Theatres shook, audiences cheered and
00:22the box office has literally surrendered. Kantara chapter one roared in theatres and
00:28in our first report we break down for you exactly how it's shattering records and the numbers
00:33that it's raked up in box office.
00:47When raw tradition meets cinematic thunder, the box office has no choice but to bow down.
00:58Theatres shook, audiences cheered as Kantara chapter one roared in theatres.
01:09A Bishop Shetty's Kantara chapter one is having an unstoppable run at the box office ever since
01:15it hit theatres on October 2nd worldwide. The film earned 235 crore gross in its opening weekend.
01:24According to the reports, the film earned 60 crore net in India on its release date.
01:38considering the modest budget of approximately 125 crore for a film of this scale, the day one collection is phenomenal.
01:54The film continued its strong run with 54.4 crore on its second day, followed by an immersive 55 crore rupees on the third day and a remarkable 61.5 crore on the fourth.
02:01In fact, the Rishab Shetty Starrer has had the second largest opening for a Kannada film in the Hindi
02:11market, trailing Yash's KGF chapter two, trailing Yash's KGF chapter two, which registered a massive 54 crore net.
02:18Releasing during a major festival at the festival gave the film from the festival, the film was in the film,
02:23the film was in the film, the film was in the film and the film was in the film was in the film on its first stage.
02:28In fact, the Rishab Shetty starer has had the second largest opening for a Kannada film in the Hindi market,
02:33trailing Yash's KGF Chapter Two which registered a massive 54 crore net.
02:37Releasing during a major festival gave the film a strategic boost, drawing in audiences
02:51looking for holiday entertainment.
03:17Though it originates from Kannada cinema, Kantara Chapter 1 saw a wide release in multiple
03:23languages, helping it break through regional barriers and reach a broader audience.
03:44For the unknown, Kantara Chapter 1 is a prequel to the 2022 film of the same name, written
03:51and directed and acted by Rishabh Shetty.
03:55The period mythological drama also features Rukhmani Vasanth, Jairam and Gulshan Deva
04:18in pivotal roles.
04:25With Pranjali Sethi, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
04:32Well, expectations were sky high, keeping in mind the first film, Kantara, was a raging
04:40success.
04:41And now the prequel that's released, Kantara Chapter 1, has stormed the box office.
04:45It's exceeded all of those expectations, capturing hearts far and wide.
04:50Opening to massive applause, the film has shattered records at every turn.
04:55And here's a look at all of the milestones that it's achieved.
05:02Rishabh Shetty's magnum opus hasn't just arrived.
05:11It has declared war at the box office.
05:23Records broken, predictions shattered, audiences absolutely possessed by Rishabh Shetty's cinematic
05:32Daiva.
05:33Kantara Chapter 1 opened to positive responses from both audiences and critics, breaking several
05:44records along the way.
05:49And here's a look at all of those things.
05:50And here's a look.
05:51And here's a look.
05:52And here's a look.
05:57Case in point, Kantara Chapter 1 roared into cinemas with a massive start, recording the third
06:04biggest opening day of 2025.
06:10According to reports, the film minted 61.85 crore at the box office.
06:16It came in just behind Rajnikan's Kooli, which earned 65 crore.
06:25And Pawan Kalyan's They Call Him Oji, which earned 63.75 crore.
06:37The film also outperformed 2025 hits Vicky Kaushal's Chava and Ahan Pandey and Aneet Parda's
06:45Sayyara, which held the top spot.
06:48On its second day, Kantara Chapter 1 added 45 crore to its earnings, taking the total to
06:56approximately 106.85 crore.
06:59With this, the film has created history by crossing the 100 crore mark in just two days.
07:06It is now the highest-grossing Kannada film of the year, beating Su from So, which had
07:13collected 92 crore last month.
07:16Meanwhile, Kantara Chapter 1 had a massive release across multiple languages, with nearly 4,700
07:23shows in Hindi and over 1,500 in Kannada, along with solid reach in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.
07:32The strong response across regions highlights its wide appeal.
07:36Impressively, the film entered the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2025 on its very first day.
07:43The original Kantara, which was released in 2022, emerged as a word-of-mouth hit, earning
07:54over 407 crore rupees worldwide against a modest budget of 16 crore rupees.
08:01Its prequel, Kantara Chapter 1, carried forward the franchise with bigger visuals, ambitious
08:08storytelling and expanded scale.
08:14Directed by and starring Bishop Shetty, the film also features Rukhmani Vasanth, Dulshan
08:20Devaiya and Jairam in key roles.
08:26And just when you thought the storm had settled, the makers dropped a bombshell.
08:30At the end of the film, they officially announced the next chapter, Kantara, a legend, Chapter
08:382.
08:39So yes, the Kantara universe is expanding.
08:42And the saga is only getting bigger, bolder and more epic.
08:49With Pranjali Sethi, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
08:53Well, Kantara, let's be clear, has taken the world by storm.
09:02There's been standing thunderous ovation in London.
09:05Fans dressing up as the deity.
09:08Kantara Chapter 1 has taken the world by storm.
09:11And as cinegoers crown Rishabh Shetty as a divine star.
09:15The film fraternity too is bowing down to a cinematic storm.
09:19So let's run you through some of those reactions and the craze for this film.
09:23Kantara Chapter 1 ignites global frenzy with thunderous opening and spiritual fervor.
09:37And it looks like Rishabh Shetty hasn't just made a film.
10:01He's bottled some kind of lightning because Kantara Chapter 1 is hitting people right in the gut.
10:11From packed theatres in Bengaluru to emotional ovations in London.
10:16You've got viewers stumbling out of theatres looking shell shocked.
10:21A few even copying those possession scenes right there in the cinema.
10:30In one viral video from Haveri Theatre in Karnataka, a middle-aged woman was seen shaking violently in her seat in the theatre after the screening ended.
10:43People sitting nearby tried to calm her down by pouring water on her face.
10:48But the woman remained unconscious, shaking her head repeatedly.
10:55And this isn't just happening in Karnataka.
11:00At the UK premiere, the atmosphere was electric.
11:04When the credits rolled in London, the crowd erupted.
11:14People were on their feet within seconds, giving a roaring standing ovation that just did not stop.
11:22The frenzy was not limited to cinema halls.
11:25After watching the film, a fan was seen mimicking Shetty's possessed character outside the theatre.
11:33Dressed in an off-white mund and shirt, he imitated the way Rishab Shetty performs when possessed by Gulga.
11:48In another viral video, a fan grabbed everyone's attention by appearing in a costume modelled on the Panjjurli deity during the Dindigul screening.
12:03The cinema lovers started expressing gratitude to Rishab Shetty for creating a spiritually resonant film.
12:11And they referred to him as the divine star, in appreciation of his contribution.
12:17Industry icons have also showered praise on Rishab Shetty and Kantara Chapter 1, as the impact is resonating across the film industry,
12:31with stars and filmmakers alike stepping forward to applaud Rishab and his visionary work.
12:38Leading the praises, actor Yash described the film as an immersive experience, with powerful performances.
12:49Veteran Kannada actor Upendra also took to X to congratulate Rishab, writing,
12:55Hearing extraordinary reports from everywhere.
12:58Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Verma joined the chorus of admiration.
13:03While Pushpa filmmaker Sukumar hailed the film as a work of creativity and dedication.
13:10Adding to the momentum, Sandeep Reddivanga called the movie a cinematic thunderstorm,
13:16applauding both its storytelling and execution.
13:20With Alice, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
13:24Now, Kantara's gripped, of course, the attention of every person, every cinegoer.
13:33It's a gripping action thriller, rooted in Karnataka's folklore, and therefore blending ritual faith and identity.
13:40It's written, directed, and of course the lead actor is Rishab Shetty himself,
13:44and it's captivated audiences with its rather authentic storytelling and cultural depth.
13:49It's had a modest budget, and despite that, Kantara became a massive commercial and critical success,
13:55earning over 450 crores worldwide and prestigious national awards.
14:00And now its prequel is shattering previous records as well.
14:04In the shadows of myth and soil, a man rises, neither hero by birth nor by choice.
14:22This is the spell woven by Kantara, the 2022 action thriller that stormed into Indian cinema's conscience as a force of nature.
14:52Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the film doesn't just traverse landscapes,
15:03it digs its roots deep into folklore, faith, and eternal friction between humanity and the buildings.
15:11Set in a rustic coastal hamlet of Karnataka, Kantara unfolds the tale of Shiva, a man caught between ancestral tradition and encroaching modern power.
15:36His fight is simple, yet profound, to protect his land, his people, and the divine spirits who guard them.
15:45What begins as a clash over forest boundaries emerges as a saga of identity, vengeance, and the sacred.
16:12From a modest budget to mammoth success, Kantara transcended its origin.
16:29It became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films, crossing 450 crore rupees worldwide.
16:36And its Hindi version alone raked in 79.25 crore rupees in net collections.
16:47Even at the 70th National Film Awards, Rishab Shetty clinched best actor,
16:52and the film was honoured as best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.
16:59But Kantara's triumph isn't measured purely in numbers or trophies.
17:02Its true power lies in how it reclaimed local ritual,
17:06Bhutakola, Kambala, Kambala, beliefs and forest gods,
17:13and presented them not as exotic spectacles,
17:15but as living, breathing parts of people's day-to-day.
17:19Critics lauded its visual poetry, its haunting score,
17:20and how it made mythology feel immediate and urgent.
17:21Critics lauded its visual poetry, its haunting score,
17:22and how it made mythology feel immediate and urgent.
17:24What began as a story from a small village,
17:27became a sweeping myth from a small village,
17:29and how it made mythology feel immediate and urgent.
17:34What began as a story from a small village became a sweeping myth,
17:40Critics lauded its visual poetry, its haunting score, and how it made mythology feel immediate
17:48and urgent.
17:49What began as a story from a small village became a sweeping myth for the masses.
18:04Metalis, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
18:09Rishabh Shetty, the man behind the Kantara magic and his journey from a small village to the pinnacle of Indian cinema,
18:19is a story of relentless passion, of unmatched talent and clearly unstoppable ambition,
18:25making him a true legend in motion.
18:28But before the stardom, life had a rather different script for him.
18:32What are we talking about?
18:33We tell you more about his incredible journey in our next report.
18:39When talent meets passion, legends are born, and Rishabh Shetty is living proof.
18:56A powerhouse of creativity, he is an actor, director, and storyteller, who doesn't just perform,
19:03he dominates the screen.
19:09Every move, every dialogue, every frame carries his signature energy.
19:16Leaving audiences spellbound.
19:21With a mind that dreams big and a heart that works even harder.
19:26Rishabh Shetty isn't just a name in cinema.
19:30He is a force of nature.
19:35But before the stardom, the glamour, and the accolades, life had a different script for him.
19:41Born in the humble village of Keradi, in the Udupi district of Kundapura, Karnataka,
19:52Rishabh's beginnings were far from the red carpets and flashing cameras.
19:57After his college, Rishabh worked in several odd jobs like selling water cans, real estate,
20:04and did hotel work, while also parallely trying his chances in movies.
20:11Little did he know, this would all set the course for a remarkable path of cinema.
20:20Rishabh Shetty's career in Kannada cinema started in 2012 with Tughlaq, where he played a villain.
20:26After playing important roles in Lucia, Ullidavara, Kandante, he made his directorial debut with the 2016 super hit film Rikki.
20:46And became widely renowned for the blockbuster film Kirikpati.
21:00Other films such as Bell Bottom, Garuda Gamana, Rishabh Bawahana, which was released in 2021, along with hero Rishabh,
21:12solidified his status as one of the leading names in Kannada cinema.
21:26The moment that changed the course of his career was with Kantara,
21:31a film that combined folklore, belief and raw emotion, in a unique way.
21:37Kantara became a cultural phenomenon in a way that spared record-breaking accomplishments,
21:44and established Rishabh Shetty's name in Indian cinema on a wider scale.
21:52Awards soon followed, echoing the brilliance of his journey.
21:56Rishabh Shetty won the Karnataka State Award for Kirikpati,
22:01and also won the National Award for Best Children's Film.
22:04At the 70th National Film Awards, Shetty won Best Actor in a Leading Role,
22:11while Kantara won Best Popular Film, providing wholesome entertainment.
22:16So yes, from a small village boy with a dream, to a powerhouse redefining Indian cinema.
22:24Rishabh Shetty is not just a name, he is a legend in motion.
22:33With Pranjali Sethi, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
22:36Another breakout performance in Kantara Chapter 1 has been that of Rukmini Vasant,
22:48a very popular name in Kannada cinema.
22:50But her emergence has unveiled a story and a journey of sacrifice and transcendent talent.
22:56Rukmini is a true example of strength and tradition fused with talent.
23:00A daughter of valor, a star of grace, and the face of Kannada cinema's new era.
23:12When the spotlight finds Rukmini Vasant in Kantara Chapter 1 as the enigmatic princess,
23:20Kannagavadi, it doesn't just illuminate a rising star.
23:24It reveals a story forged in sacrifice, resilience, and extraordinary talent.
23:30Born into a Kannada-speaking household in Bengaluru, on 10th December 1996, Rukmini is the daughter of Colonel Vasanthvenu Gopal,
23:41a brave officer of the Indian Army who was martyred in 2007.
23:47He was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime military honour.
23:52And her mother, Subhashini Vasant, a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, turned personal loss into purpose
24:02by founding an organization dedicated to supporting war widows in Karnataka.
24:08Rukmini's upbringing was steeped in both discipline and artistic expression.
24:13She studied at the Army School and Air Force School in Bengaluru.
24:19Environments that instilled structure and value.
24:24Yet, it was her passion for performance that took her far all the way to London,
24:30where she trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art,
24:35refining her craft with classic riga.
24:39It taught me pretty much everything that I knew when I first started in film.
24:44Every film is a laboratory of sorts.
24:46You learn a completely new, different kind of skill on every single set.
24:50Whether it's a masala commercial film or whether it's a deep, intense sort of film,
24:55you pick up a whole new set of skills regardless.
24:58But drama school was really where it began for me.
25:00And there's a certain external validation also that you get after you audition for something
25:04and then a group of unbiased strangers say, yeah, okay, you have something in you.
25:10Rukmini made her on-screen debut in 2019 with Birbal trilogy, Case 1,
25:16finding Vajramuni opposite MG Srinivas,
25:21instantly capturing attention with her poise and presence.
25:25While the film marked her arrival, it was just the beginning of a carefully-built career.
25:30From the films like 2023, Baana Dariya Ali,
25:35and 2014, Bagheera and Bhairati Ranangal.
25:45She carved a distinct space for herself in Kannada cinema.
25:55With Saptasa Garada Chiello, A and B, for which she also received the Filmfare Critics Award in the category of Best Actress, Kannada.
26:04And it did not just stop there, as she was able to push her horizons beyond Karnataka.
26:15And this success took her to Tamil cinema,
26:19where she starred alongside Vijay Setupati in Ace,
26:22and Sivakarthikyan in Madarasi.
26:31She also has Pan-Indian projects in her city like Prashantni, Junior NTR's Dragon,
26:37and Yash Geetu Mohandas's Toxic Witches and Works.
26:41So yes, Rukmani is a true example of grace rooted in strength, talent nurtured by heritage.
26:55And she is not just a rising star of Kannada cinema,
26:59but a symbol of a new era in Indian storytelling.
27:03With Alice, Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
27:09Well, this is just the beginning.
27:12I have no doubt that in the coming days,
27:14we're going to be talking about Kannada a whole lot more,
27:17and how it's shattering a lot more records across the country and across the world.
27:21But that's all we have time for on this special broadcast.
27:23Thanks very much for tuning in to India Today.
27:25We'll see you then.
27:27Find out.
27:28I have a great day today.
27:29Thank you so much to hear today.
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