All eyes on Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, as War 2 and Coolie flounder at the box office

Two of the most widely anticipated films – Rajinikanth’s Coolie and the Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-led War 2 – which had massive box office expectations attached, opened to middling reviews and are unlikely to set collection records. Such is the disappointment in these films that audiences have already moved on to the next biggie that they think has the potential to break into the Rs 1000 crore club, a feat that was last achieved by both of Shah Rukh Khan’s films, Jawan and Pathaan.

All eyes are now on Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited prequel to 2022’s massive hit Kantara – A Legend, Kantara: Chapter 1 which will be in theatres in only a month and a half. The original film had amassed a massive Rs 400cr + back in the day, a feat that none, including actor-director Rishab expected. Marketed as a small, rooted story of the land, Kantara took on a life of its own, solely on the strength of the film’s last 20-odd minutes.

In Kantara, Rishab had briefly touched upon the daiva araadhne culture in the coastal belt and introduced audiences to the daiva Panjurli and the fierce protector Guliga. With Chapter 1, which he has said is a prequel, it is believed that he will delve into the origins of Panjurli. The film has reportedly been made on a budget upward of Rs 125 cr, whereas the original was made with less than Rs 15 cr.

Also read: Kantara A Legend Chapter 1 to stream on THIS OTT platform after its theatrical run 

Rishab has been fiercely secretive about what he is set to bring to the screen, revealing only days ago that Sapta Sagaradaache Ello fame Rukmini Vasanth is a part of the film. Netizens are confident that since Rishab spent a lot of time in research before going on floors with the film and has a bigger budget and canvas to work with, the film will, undoubtedly, be a massive hit. The only question that remains is if it has the wherewithal to join the likes of Baahubali-2, KGF: Chapter 2, Pushpa 2, etc.

Interestingly, barring RRR and Kalki: 2898 AD, the other 3 south films in the Rs 1000 cr club have all been sequels. Will Kantara: Chapter 1 be the next one to join in and become only the second Kannada original to manage this feat? It is clashing with Dhanush's Idli Kadai at the box office. 

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 is expected to hit theatres on October 2, 2025. Chapter 1 is the prequel of the original film and is supposedly an exploration of the origin of the Panjurli Daiva, among others. 

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.