Rishab Shetty's highly anticipated prequel *Kantara Chapter 1* demonstrated impressive staying power at the box office on its 17th day, recording a significant 47% surge in collections on Saturday. This rebound comes after the film experienced declining revenues for three consecutive days, proving that the Kannada blockbuster still has substantial momentum as it approaches the lucrative Diwali holiday period.
The film collected ₹12.5 crore net in India on Day 17 alone, according to industry tracker Sacnilk. This brings the total domestic collection to ₹506.3 crore net, cementing its position as the second-highest grossing Indian film of 2025 and the highest-grossing Kannada film of the year.
The movie opened with an impressive ₹61.85 crore net on its first day and has maintained strong performance throughout its theatrical run. The week-wise breakdown shows ₹337.4 crore in Week 1 and ₹147.85 crore in Week 2, indicating sustained audience interest despite the typical post-opening decline.
*Kantara Chapter 1* has achieved remarkable success internationally as well. During its 16-day theatrical run, the film grossed ₹694 crore worldwide, with ₹589.50 crore coming from the domestic market and ₹104.50 crore from overseas territories.
However, the production house Hombale Films claims even higher numbers, stating on their official Instagram that the film has crossed ₹717.50 crore gross worldwide within two weeks and 15 days, describing it as "a divine storm at the box office."
The film has shattered multiple milestones in Indian cinema. Made on a budget of ₹125 crore, it now stands as the second-highest grossing Kannada film of all time and continues its pursuit to potentially overtake other major releases like *Chhaava*.
Released on October 2 coinciding with Dussehra, the multilingual release has performed exceptionally well across various language markets, demonstrating the universal appeal of its storyline and execution.
Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under the Hombale Films banner, *Kantara Chapter 1* serves as a prequel to the 2022 hit *Kantara*. Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, who also plays the lead role, the epic mythological action film features an ensemble cast including Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram in pivotal roles.
The film explores the origins of Kaadubettu Shiva during the Kadamba dynasty era, delving into untamed wilderness and forgotten lore. The narrative combines mythology, action, and cultural storytelling in a way that has resonated strongly with audiences across demographics.
With the Diwali festival approaching, industry analysts predict *Kantara Chapter 1* could see another significant boost in collections. The filmmakers recently released a Diwali special trailer to capitalize on the festive momentum, and early indicators suggest the strategy is working.
As the film enters its third week, it continues to defy typical box office decline patterns, suggesting it has the legs to remain a major player in theaters well into November. The combination of positive word-of-mouth, festival timing, and strong repeat viewership points to continued success for this Sandalwood spectacle.
