Kantara Chapter 1, widely celebrated as Kantara 2, has rewritten box office history with a spectacular opening. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the film is already a cultural phenomenon, shining across platforms like BookMyShow, with massive numbers, glowing reviews, and a passionate response from audiences nationwide.
Box Office Collection Record
On its first day, Kantara: Chapter 1 netted an impressive ₹61.85 crore in India, just shy of South Indian blockbusters like Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Pawan Kalyan’s OG, but firmly among the top openers of the year. The breakdown by language is notable: ₹19.6 crore (Kannada), ₹18.5 crore (Hindi film market), ₹13 crore (Telugu), and healthy numbers in Tamil and Malayalam as well, from a total of nearly 9,000 shows. The film’s initial occupancy was especially strong in its Kannada version, which dominated regional collections before the Hindi movie circuit’s weekend surge.
| Film | Day 1 Collection (₹ Cr) | Language Major Release |
|---|---|---|
| Coolie | 65 | Tamil/Hindi |
| They Call Him OG | 63 | Telugu/Hindi |
| Kantara Chapter 1 | 61.85 | Kannada/Hindi/Tamil/Telugu/Malayalam |
Budget, Production, and Box Office Returns
Kantara 2 was made on a reported budget of ₹125 crores—nearly a tenfold jump from the original film’s costs. Despite major setbacks, including on-set accidents and tragic losses, the cast and crew’s resilience paid off. Within five days, the film has collected over ₹256.5 crore (net) in India, more than doubling its investment, and grossed over ₹300 crores worldwide.
Cast and Standout Performances
The cast of Kantara Chapter 1 includes:
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Rishab Shetty (as Berme, also the director)
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Rukmini Vasanth (acclaimed for her emotional depth and transformation as Kanakavathi)
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Gulshan Devaiah (as Kulashekara, pivotal in driving the film’s mythic plot)
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Jayaram and supporting South Indian actors, infusing authenticity.
Fans and critics on platforms like IMDb and BookMyShow have praised the film’s grand visuals, direction, narrative power, and above all, the haunting background score. Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah’s performances, in particular, are widely celebrated, making this new movie a fixture in conversation across the industry.
Audience and Critical Response
Kantara 2’s reception on BookMyShow, IMDb, and other review sites is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers hailing its immersive folklore-inspired story, cinematography, and spiritual elements. While a few critiques mention uneven pacing,
the consensus is that Kantara Chapter 1 has succeeded in elevating the franchise’s legacy.
Comparison with Kantara (2022)
Where the original Kantara began as a modest release and became an all-time word-of-mouth hit—earning over ₹400 crore on a ₹15 crore budget—the sequel prequelizes the mythos on a much larger canvas. The scale of its production, effects,
and release footprint are all expanded,
and early returns indicate the global tally for Kantara 2 could easily surpass ₹500 crores if momentum continues.
Read More: Kantara 2 Box Office Collection Day 1: Rishab Shetty’s Epic Film Creates History
The Road Ahead
With Kantara 2’s box office collection roaring ahead, and Hombale Films teasing the growth of the Kantara universe, a Kantara Chapter 2 is virtually guaranteed. Rishab Shetty and his crew have transformed a Kannada-language folk epic into a national and international blockbuster,
proving that rooted stories can thrive alongside the biggest commercial entertainers.
