Kantara: Chapter 1 Box Office Collection Day 1: A Record-Breaking Opener
Kantara: Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to Rishab Shetty’s 2022 blockbuster Kantara, stormed the box office on its release day (October 2, 2025), raking in a massive ₹90 crore worldwide on Day 1. This explosive start not only shattered expectations but also positioned the film as one of the biggest openers of 2025, surpassing heavyweights like Stree 2 (₹79.60 crore), Baahubali: The Beginning (₹73.40 crore), and Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (₹68.80 crore). Directed, written, and starring Rishab Shetty, the mythological action-drama set in the 4th-century Kadamba dynasty explores the origins of the Panjurli Daiva legend, blending folklore, intense action, and cultural depth. Released in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, it benefited from a wide pan-India push by Hombale Films.
Day 1 Breakdown
While exact regional splits vary slightly across trackers, early estimates highlight strong domestic performance:
- India Net: Approximately ₹61.85 crore (all languages combined), with Kannada circuits leading the charge.
- Overseas: Around ₹28.15 crore, driven by diaspora audiences in the US, UK, and Middle East.
- Total Worldwide Gross: ₹90 crore, marking the film’s entry into the ₹100 crore club within hours of release.
The opening was fueled by positive word-of-mouth, festive timing (leading into Dussehra), and Shetty’s star power. Occupancy rates hovered at 80-90% in prime Kannada markets like Karnataka, with Hindi belts contributing significantly (over 30% of India net).
Quick Context on the Film
- Cast: Rishab Shetty (as the warrior Siddha), Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Achyuth Kumar.
- Budget: Estimated at ₹100-120 crore (including VFX for its epic scale).
- Runtime: 2 hours 48 minutes.
- Why It Worked: Building on the original Kantara‘s cult following (₹408 crore lifetime), this chapter dives deeper into the lore with raw, grounded visuals and Bhoota Kola-inspired sequences.
Performance Snapshot (First Week Highlights)
For perspective, here’s how Day 1 stacks up against the film’s ongoing run (as of October 11, 2025):
| Day | India Net Collection (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Gross (₹ Cr) | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Thu) | 61.85 | 90 | Beats Stree 2 opening |
| 9 (Fri) | 22.35 (jump from Day 8) | ~540 (est.) | Crosses ₹500 Cr WW; surpasses Saiyaara lifetime |
| Total (as of Day 10) | 381.21 | 509.25+ | 18th highest-grossing Indian film ever |
The film has already outpaced the original Kantara‘s lifetime haul and is eyeing ₹600+ crore worldwide, potentially challenging KGF: Chapter 2 benchmarks. Rishab Shetty has teased Kantara Chapter 2 in development, signaling a franchise future.
If you’re tracking further days, regional breakdowns, or comparisons, drop more details—I can dive deeper!