Kantara Chapter 1 on OTT: Reasons to stream Rishab Shetty’s blockbuster Kantara prequel
Kantara Chapter 1 will be on OTT in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam on October 31, only 4 weeks after its theatrical release. It the highest grossing film of the year, and the most-watched one
Last Updated: 09.14 PM, Oct 30, 2025
Kantara Chapter 1 is OTT bound on October 31, 2025. The Rishab Shetty-led film will be available on Amazon Prime Video in the four south versions – Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam – when the clock strikes 12 am, only 4 weeks after its theatrical release; a move that fans think is premature. Nevertheless, they can take solace in the fact that prior to landing on OTT, Kantara Chapter 1 not only became the highest grosser of the year, outdoing Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava, but is also the most-watched film on account of its 3 cr + footfalls.
Not yet watched Kantara Chapter 1 yet or are itching for a rewatch of the ‘divine’ experience? Here’s why you should definitely catch it
Visual spectacle
Three years after the blockbuster success of Kantara, actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty took audiences back to the mystical forest in a tale that was set nearly two-thousand years ago. The difference was that unlike the 2022 original, this time, Rishab was armed with a much bigger and undisclosed budget, which is rumoured to be in the Rs 120-125 cr range. While the basic plot remained about man vs nature, with a king determined to lay his hands on the bounties of Kantara by hook or by crook and divine guardianship coming into play, Rishab upped the ante as far as the scale and the visuals go. Arvind Kashyap’s immersive visuals are a major highlight, as are the top-notch VFX effects in the film.
Stellar performances
Rishab is, yet again, the soul of Kantara and takes on two roles, Berme, a young tribal through whom the divine guardian daivas act to protect ‘God’s garden’ and the people dependent on it. The film is a lot more action-packed, which required Rishab to train in kalarippayattu and horse-riding, besides pumping weights in the gym to pack on the muscles. Also chipping in with memorable performances are Gulshan Devaiah (in his Kannada film debut), Rukmini Vasanth (who gets a juicy twist in the tale), Jayaram and the late Rakesh Poojary, among others.
Tulunadu’s folklore gets a global stage
In Kantara, Rishab had introduced audiences to the daiva Panjurli and the kshetrapalaka Guliga and this time, it’s about the many variations of Guliga. The film relies heavily on the divine possession yet again, as the daivas step in to protect Kantara and its people, through Berme. Keep an eye out for the changes in Rishab’s body language as each version of Guliga appears. The film is releasing in English and Spanish on October 31, which is expected to give it an international audience.
Haunting and divine music
Ajaneesh B Lokanath’s score for Kantara Chapter 1 is a major highlight. While several key high points in the film have the original Kantara’s BGM and he even reuses the controversial, but hit song Varaharoopam, the new compositions, especially Brahmakalasha, have become immensely popular. The music man is said to have blended ancient instrumentation with Carnatic music and tribal rhythms to develop the score.
*Catch Kantara Chapter 1 and other exciting titles with Amazon Prime Video lite on OTTplay Premium with a top-up subscription.
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 31, 2025, in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. The Hindi version is expected after 8 weeks, around November 27. An official announcement is expected soon.
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.