Kantara Chapter 1 Creates History, Overtakes KGF 2 Craze

Some films don’t just release, they erupt. Kantara Chapter 1 did exactly that. Rishab Shetty’s mythological action drama hit theatres during Dussehra and tore through every expectation people had. The film didn’t just collect money; it collected hearts, whistles, and word-of-mouth fire that spread fast. Now, after ruling cinemas, it’s back in the news again, streaming online and breaking new records all over.

Trade circles are buzzing, Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed a whopping ₹850 crore worldwide. Out of that, the Kannada version alone pulled in ₹250 crore, with the Telugu and Hindi versions adding another few hundred crores. Not bad for a film that started as a rooted story from the forests. It connected because it felt real, a mix of faith, mystery, and emotion that made audiences forget they were watching fiction. Some fans even started calling it the Kannada Baahubali, and honestly, that doesn’t feel like an exaggeration anymore.

The biggest shocker? It just broke KGF Chapter 2’s Karnataka box office record. KGF once ruled with ₹183 crore, but Kantara Chapter 1 went ahead and smashed that with ₹250 crore. Of course, KGF 2 still reigns nationwide with ₹1200 crore, but the fact that Rishab Shetty’s film came this close, with a smaller setup and less hype, says a lot. It’s not just about action or scale; it’s about raw storytelling that hits deep.

Rishab Shetty has now turned into something of a one-man army, actor, director, storyteller, believer. With this success, he’s not just made a blockbuster; he’s put Kannada cinema back in global conversations. Every frame of Kantara feels like it was made with faith and fire. Maybe that’s why it worked, it wasn’t trying to be perfect; it was just honest. And audiences, everywhere, can smell honesty a mile away.