Kantara Chapter 1 on course to be Kannada film industry hit; netizens question criteria

With the cap on ticket prices remaining stayed, Kantara Chapter 1 multiplex tickets have been in the range of Rs 400 - Rs 1,000, giving it an unfair advantage, reckon netizens

Rishab Shetty in the Brahmakalasha video song from Kantara Chapter 1

Kantara Chapter 1, according to trade trackers, is on course to becoming the highest Kannada industry hit, as per box office figures. At the start of its second week, the film had already made Rs 114 cr (net) in its Kannada version, with KGF: Chapter 2 (Rs 155 cr) and Kantara (Rs 162 cr) ahead of it currently. However, some netizens have questioned the box office figure criteria given that the film is currently reaping the benefits of the stay on the government’s ticket price cap.

Should box office figures or footfalls matter to determine IH?

Multiplexes, for instances, have been charging in the range of Rs 400 to Rs 1,000 for tickets, which, netizens say, gives Kantara Chapter 1 an undue advantage. Instead, they say, the true measure of an industry hit should depend on the footfalls it registers. The 2022 Kantara had registered 1 cr footfalls worldwide during its theatrical run, while KGF: Chapter 2 remains the undisputed champion with over 5 cr recorded viewership. Exact break-downs for Karnataka specific numbers are, however, not available.

Rishab Shetty’s prequel, meanwhile, has already made it to the Rs 500 cr+ worldwide, but failed to break KGF-2’s Week 1 figures. It is currently the highest grossing Kannada film of 2025, and the third highest grosser in the nation, behind Saiyaara and Chhaava, both of which had Hindi only releases.

Also read: Kantara Chapter 1 movie review: Rishab Shetty goes all out in grand but bland sequel

FAQs

Q. Are Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1 the same?

A. No, they are separate films in the same franchise, both written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Kantara released in 2022, while Kantara: Chapter 1 hit theatres on October 2, 2025. Chapter 1 is the prequel of the original film and explores the origins of daivaradhane in the Tulunadu region.

Q. What is the run-time of Kantara Chapter 1?

A. Kantara Chapter is 2 hours and 47 minutes in total run-time.

Q. Where can one watch Kantara Chapter 1?

A. Kantara Chapter 1 hit theatres across the world on October 2, 2025. Subsequently, it will head to Amazon Prime Video on October 30, 2025, in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.

Q. Whose avatar is Panjurli Daiva?

A. Panjurli Daiva is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha incarnation. Panjurli, according to folklore, was a wild boar, who was slain by Lord Shiva and then revived to become a divine protector.

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