Kantara Chapter 1 to get 7,000 screen all-India release; to open with hiked ticket price in Karnataka
The producers of Kantara Chapter 1 were part of the litigation, challenging the Karnataka government order capping ticket prices at Rs 200. The order has now been stayed.
Last Updated: 03.30 PM, Sep 23, 2025
On September 22, Vijay Kiragandur, the producer of Kantara Chapter 1, had refrained from comment about why his banner was opposing the Karnataka state government’s order on capping ticket rates at Rs 200 (plus taxes). Less than a day later, there’s been relief for him and the other parties involved in the litigation against the order, as the Karnataka High Court stayed the same, opening doors for multiplexes to make hay on movies like OG (Telugu), which releases on September 25, and Kantara Chapter 1, which comes on October 2.
Kantara Chapter 1 to release in 30 countries simultaneously
Kantara Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel of the hit 2022 film Kantara, is set for a massive world-wide release, with as many as 7,000 screens in India, and shows in at least 30 countries. In India, the film will release in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. There is an English version for the international market, but for the first-time ever, the makers are also targeting South America with a Spanish-dubbed version.
Following the trailer launch and media briefing in Bengaluru, Vijay added that promotional activities will begin only by September 27, as Rishab is still caught up with the post-production of the film. In fact, music director Ajaneesh B Loknath did not attend the do as he’s to deliver the final output. On 27th the team will head to Kochi and then Chennai, from where they will then fly to Hyderabad the following day. September 29 and 30 is when they will do the north India press tour, predominantly in Mumbai.
Unlike the earlier film, this time around, prior to the release, not much related material will be in the public domain, Rishab said, when asked if there would be a song release or two in the days ahead. “We released a teaser, making of video and were actually in two minds about a trailer. Eventually, we thought it would be interesting to introduce audiences to the world we’ve created, and, hence, cut a trailer. We don’t want to do a lot of promotions, focusing instead only on creating awareness that the film is coming to theatres on October 2,” he said.
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.