Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has shattered records across the globe, storming past the ₹500 crore mark in just its first week. The period action drama has earned ₹509.25 crore (gross) worldwide, making it one of the fastest Kannada films to achieve this milestone.
The film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty, has been running to packed houses in Karnataka and across multiple languages, with critics and audiences alike praising its mythological depth, rooted storytelling, and spectacular visuals.
🌍 Global Box Office Collections: ₹509.25 Crore in Week One
According to the latest figures shared by the production house, Kantara: Chapter 1 has raked in:
- ₹335 crore net (₹402 crore gross) from India in just eight days
- $8 million (approx. ₹67 crore) from overseas markets
- Including an impressive $5 million run in North America
This brings the film’s worldwide total to ₹509.25 crore gross, cementing its position as a global box office phenomenon.
“The love and devotion from audiences worldwide have been overwhelming. Kantara: Chapter 1 has once again proven that stories rooted in our culture can resonate across the world,”
said Rishab Shetty in a statement shared on social media.
🎬 Strong Regional Performance Across India
Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to dominate theatres in all major South Indian states and the Hindi belt.
Here’s the region-wise breakdown (net collections after eight days):
| Language / Region | 8-Day Net Collection (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Kannada | 106.95 |
| Telugu | 53.55 |
| Tamil | 31.50 |
| Malayalam | 26.65 |
| Hindi Belt | 100+ |
Trade analysts have called the film’s Hindi performance “historic” — especially for a regional-language film that has relied almost entirely on organic word-of-mouth and repeat viewership.
⚡ Records Broken
- Fastest Kannada film to cross ₹500 crore worldwide
- Highest first-week collection in Karnataka’s history (surpassing KGF: Chapter 2)
- Top-grossing South Indian film of 2025 so far
- Among the Top 10 highest-grossing Indian films ever
With no major releases till Diwali, Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to enjoy a solo run across multiplexes and single screens — a rare feat in today’s post-pandemic market.
“The numbers are unbelievable for a rooted Kannada story. This is not just a hit, it’s a movement,”
said a Bengaluru-based distributor.
🕉️ About Kantara: Chapter 1
Serving as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, the film explores the origins of the divine legend that formed the heart of the original story. Set nearly a thousand years before the events of the first film, the movie blends mythology, folklore, and raw action in a larger-than-life narrative.
Along with Rishab Shetty, the film stars Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah in pivotal roles. The music by B. Ajaneesh Loknath and breathtaking cinematography have also been key talking points among fans.
🔮 What’s Next
With the festival season approaching and audiences still thronging cinemas, trade experts predict Kantara: Chapter 1 could soon enter the ₹700 crore club, potentially rivaling RRR and KGF: Chapter 2 in lifetime numbers.
The film’s makers are expected to announce international screening expansions in Europe and the Middle East soon.
