The Indian box office is currently witnessing a clash of titans with the release of two highly anticipated films: Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (SSKTK), a romantic comedy starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, and Kantara: Chapter 1, the prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit Kantara, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty. Both films were released on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, setting the stage for a fierce battle at the box office.
Kantara: Chapter 1 has emerged as the frontrunner, taking a massive opening and outperforming Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari significantly. According to early estimates, Kantara: Chapter 1 collected ₹60 crore on its opening day in India. The film also minted approximately ₹19-21 crore in the Hindi language. Some reports even suggest the film has crossed ₹65 crore mark on its opening day. Rishab Shetty's directorial venture had a strong boost from positive reviews from paid premieres, which helped it collect ₹33.25 crore by 4 PM on its release date. The film's Kannada version had an impressive 88.13% occupancy in theaters. The Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil dubbed versions also registered strong occupancy rates of 75.34%, 29.84%, and 71.42%, respectively.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, on the other hand, had a decent opening, earning ₹9.25 crore on its first day. The film met expectations, considering the stiff competition from Kantara: Chapter 1. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari had an overall Hindi occupancy of 34.08% on its release date. Chennai led with 58% occupancy, followed by Bengaluru (51.33%) and Kolkata (45.67%), with peak turnout in evening shows. Mumbai, NCR, and Hyderabad also performed well, while Surat, Bhopal, and Ahmedabad saw low footfall.
Several factors contributed to Kantara: Chapter 1's strong performance. The film is a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, which was a pan-India blockbuster. The film's blend of regional folklore, spirituality, and action has resonated with audiences. Strong reviews and positive word-of-mouth from premiere shows further fueled the film's opening. Celebrities like Prabhas and Jr NTR have lauded the film, directed by and starring National Award winner Rishab Shetty, for its resounding success. The movie was released in standard, IMAX, D-Box, ICE, 4DX, Dolby Cinema and EPIQ formats.
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is a romantic comedy, a genre that has seen a resurgence in recent times. The film stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, who have a strong fan following. The film's music, especially the song "Panwadi," has also been grabbing headlines. However, the film faced stiff competition from Kantara: Chapter 1, which overshadowed many releases with its mythological action-drama scale and critical acclaim.
In conclusion, Kantara: Chapter 1 has taken a clear lead in the box office race, surpassing expectations with a massive opening. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari had a decent start, but it needs strong word-of-mouth to sustain its performance in the coming days. The clash between these two films highlights the diversity of Indian cinema and the audience's appetite for different genres and stories.
