Kannada superstar Yash has lauded Rishab Shetty's vision and execution in "Kantara: Chapter 1," calling the film a "new benchmark for Kannada and Indian cinema". Yash, known for his role in the blockbuster "KGF" series, praised Shetty's conviction, resilience, and devotion evident in every frame of the film. He also commended Hombale Films and producer Vijay Kiragandur for their unwavering support for ambitious projects that are raising the bar for the Indian film industry.
"Kantara: Chapter 1," a prequel to the 2022 hit "Kantara," was released on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. The film delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty in 300 CE, the story explores the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual.
Yash specifically acknowledged Rishab Shetty's multiple roles as writer, director, and actor, noting how his vision translated into a truly immersive experience on screen. He also praised the performances of Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah, describing them as "brilliant, powerhouse performances" that enriched the film's emotional layers. Ajaneesh Loknath's music and Arvind Kashyap's cinematography also received special mention for breathing life into the frames and transporting audiences into the divine world of "Kantara".
"Kantara: Chapter 1" features Rishab Shetty as Berme, a fierce Naga Sadhu, Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi, and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara. The film is produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films.
The film's narrative is set against the backdrop of the Kadamba period in Karnataka, an era regarded as the Golden Period of Indian history. "Kantara: Chapter 1" explores themes of unison, tradition, and the conflict between cultures, echoing the class and greed themes of the original film. The film is mounted on a grander scale than its predecessor, with a budget of ₹125 crore. It features high-quality VFX and enhanced visuals, with international experts involved in the project. A grand war sequence, choreographed by Todor Lazarov, involved over 3,000 participants, including 500 trained fighters, and took nearly 50 days to film.
"Kantara: Chapter 1" has opened to packed theaters and an enthusiastic response. The film has recorded the second-largest opening for a Kannada film in the Hindi market, after Yash's own "KGF: Chapter 2". According to early estimates, "Kantara: Chapter 1" crossed ₹65 crore on its opening day. The Hindi dubbed version contributed significantly to the total collection, demonstrating its pan-India appeal.
The film is being released in multiple languages across 30 countries. Following its theatrical run, "Kantara: Chapter 1" will be available on Amazon Prime Video, which has acquired the digital rights for a reported ₹125 crore.
The success of "Kantara: Chapter 1" has already led to the announcement of a third installment in the franchise, titled "Kantara A Legend - Chapter 2".
