Rishab Shetty's "Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1" has taken the box office by storm, exceeding expectations and achieving remarkable success in its opening weekend. The prequel to the 2022 hit 'Kantara' has grossed an impressive ₹225 crore worldwide in just three days.
Domestically, the film has earned ₹162.85 crore net (₹195.50 crore gross) in India during its first three days. According to Sacnilk, the film's day-wise earnings in India were ₹61.85 crore on Dussehra, followed by ₹46 crore on Friday, and ₹55 crore on Saturday. The Hindi version of the film has also performed well, minting over ₹40 crore in India.
"Kantara Chapter 1" has broken several box office records, becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025. On Friday, it surpassed the lifetime collection of "Su From So" (₹92 crore net). On Saturday, it continued its record-breaking run, exceeding the lifetime collections of Salman Khan's "Sikandar" (₹110 crore), Ram Charan's "Game Changer" (₹131 crore), and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Gangubai Kathiawadi" (₹210 crore). The movie has become the fourth Kannada film to cross the ₹150 crore mark.
The film's success isn't limited to the Indian market. "Kantara Chapter 1" has grossed over $3 million overseas in its first three days. In North America alone, the film has crossed $1.2 million (around ₹10 crore) in two days. The Middle East and Europe are also showing strong weekend growth, contributing to the film's rapid global climb.
"Kantara Chapter 1" is a prequel to the 2022 sleeper hit "Kantara", which earned over ₹400 crore worldwide on a ₹15 crore budget. Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, the film is set a thousand years before the events of the first film. Alongside Rishab Shetty, the film stars Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah.
The Rishab Shetty-starrer has received rave reviews for its storytelling, performances, visual achievements, and exploration of deep cultural themes and spiritual roots. The film is set for a screening at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday, October 5, with cast members Rishab Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth, along with producer Chaluve Gowda, expected to attend.
Despite the film's financial success, some critics have pointed out flaws in the movie. A reviewer from The Hindu noted that the "emotional undercurrent of the movie, about the tribal community fighting for inclusivity and going against those trying to dispose them off their land, slightly gets lost amidst the grandeur". Similarly, a reviewer from The Indian Express stated that "in its prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, all that remains is the scream, which is louder than ever, while the soul flickers in and out unsteadily".
