Kantara Chapter 1 Collection, Review LIVE Updates: Rishab Shetty film opens with Rs 60 crore at BO, makes and breaks multiple records

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."

A fan posted Kantara Chapter 1 review on X, "#KantaraChapter1 Decent first half with a superb interval sequence. Locations, VFX & background score stand out. Comedy falls flat at times, with a few draggy portions in between. But that interval sequence is pure fire!"

X user @itisprashanth shared Kantara Chapter 1 movie review, "In a world filled with satans and demonic energies, divinity has become a rarity. Thanks for filling the hearts of people with the much needed godliness @shetty_rishab - you are doing service in the form of a movie ! #KantaraChapter1"

Tarde site Sacnilk shared that by 8 am Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 has already earned around Rs 4.48 Cr India net on its first day for all languages. Censored with a U/A certificate, Kantara Chapter 1's runtime is of 169 minutes.

A user posted via X, "Hearing absolutely fantastic reviews about #KantaraChapter1..Rishab Shetty, comes from a small town near Kudapura. He studied in a government Kannada medium school, and has truly lived that culture, seen that culture, and grown up in it. Opening up to the world in your own language while growing up is a definite advantage. These are really important factors in shaping a strongly rooted personality. More power to @shetty_rishab and team.."

X user @Nithin_m_kamath posted, "Nothing more to say, just go experience it and feel blessed. The payoff is worth every second of the 3 year wait. #Kantarachapter1 – this land’s cinema, this land’s stories for the world. Quality, content, and making, absolutely top notch."

Venky Reviews shared via X, "#KantaraChapter1 A Solid Prequel that is technically superb and has a fair share of theater worthy sequences that work well despite a few narration dips and slow pacing at times! The film picks up right where the first installment leaves off and establishes the backstory effectively. In the first half, the filler sequences in the middle don’t quite land, but the introduction and the pre-interval to interval stretch are executed very well. The second half also has a few dips, yet even here, there are standout blocks, and the climax once again delivers strongly like the first installment. Rishabh Shetty delivers another terrific performan…

X user @Itz_SumanthR posted, "#KantaraChapter1 - @shetty_rishab was born to do Kantara! Man what a performance. The word Goosebumps isn't enough to describe his performance! The entire second half is a total blast. Box office will be on fire. Each and every department nailed it!"

A fan posted on X, "The climax sequences of Kantara are recreated in this sequel with even greater intensity and ferocity. The multiple incarnations of Guliga sequence is EXCELLENT  in second half."

X user shared, "The soul of the film lies in the 2nd half. Rishab Shetty attempts some Bahubali kind sequences in the first half of #KantaraChapter1 which personally didn’t work for me. The film tested my patience in the 1st half. But in the second half, when everything culminates, it was worth the wait. Double Dhamaka goosebump moments in the 2nd half. Worth the watch. Go for it! PS: Planning to watch in Kannada (with subtitles) soon."

A fan @iamsanjusaaho shared via X, "#KantaraChapter1Review: Rishab Shetty does it again. #KantaraChapter1 doesn’t just entertain, it awakens something deeper within you..Pure goosebumps! A cinematic blend of folklore, faith & raw human spirit..."

The Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 has grossed approximately Rs 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above Rs 4 crores in pre-sales, as shared by trade site Sacnilk. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (Rs 3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (Rs 3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (Rs 3.23 crores) in advance sales.

Trade site Sacnilk shared that current trends indicate an opening day of the Rishab Shetty-starrer Kantara Chapter 1 in the range of Rs 14–15 crores net in Hindi, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further.

X user shared, "KANTARA: CHAPTER 1 - Mind-boggling VFX featuring animals. Might be the best to come out of India so far."

@BURN4DESIRE1 shared via X, "Just watched #KantaraChapter1 Rating: ????½ (4.5/5) What a mind-blowing prequel! Rishab Shetty once again proves why he is a master storyteller. The visuals, the divine aura, the raw emotions & the epic climax – goosebumps guaranteed. If Kantara (2022) was magic, this is pure cinema from the soul of India. This film will shake the box office for sure! #KantaraChapter1 #RishabShetty #KantaraUniverse #KantaraReview #KantaraMagic."

Trade guru AB George shared via X< "#Kantara WINNER A solid prequel to Kantara with enough theatrical moments, powerful performances, and a super climax like Part 1 — maybe even better. Strong performance from @shetty_rishab, and a good role for @rukminitweets as well. Top-notch production quality — VFX, cinematography, and music are excellent. There are some flaws in between, but overall, it’s worth the money. Go for it A proud padam for the Kannada industry. #KantaraChapter1Review #Kantara2."

Trade analyst Ramesh Bala posted on X, '#KantaraChapter1 [4/5] : Divine Cinema, Goosebump Experience! @shetty_rishab owns every frame That transformation climax = THEATRE ERUPTS @rukminitweets surprise package #AjaneeshLoknath BGM = Soul of Kantara. This is not just a film, it’s a pure DIVINE RIDE #KantaraChapter1Review.'

X user posted Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 review that read, "Kantara Chapter 1 is a cinematic experience that blends myth, culture, and raw storytelling into a visually arresting spectacle. From its atmospheric world-building to Rishab Shetty’s commanding direction, every frame feels purposeful and immersive. The film doesn’t just entertain it captivates. The sound design, cinematography, and performance synergy elevate it beyond a regional drama, placing it firmly in the league of global cinema. #KantaraChapter1 #KantaraChapter1Review."