Kantara Chapter 1 storms India with 7000+ screens

A fire that began in a small corner of the forest can sometimes light up the whole land. That is what happened with ‘Kantara’, which started as a regional Kannada film but later became a national sensation. Now, its prequel, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ is ready to repeat history. The film has locked October 2 as its worldwide release date, coinciding with Dussehra. Adding to the excitement, the makers announced that it will hit more than 7,000 screens across India, making it one of the widest releases ever for a Kannada film.

This time, the story is not staying limited to Indian languages alone. Apart from Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, an international English version has been prepared. Interestingly, since the first part found a surprising fan base in South America, the makers have also completed dubbing the prequel in Spanish. By expanding its reach to such regions, the film is positioning itself not just as a regional or national product but as a cultural export from India.

The team is not leaving any stone unturned in promotions. With only days left for the release, director and actor Rishab Shetty is said to be giving final touches to the project while composer Ajaneesh Lokanath works on the background score. A detailed press tour has been lined up, starting with Kochi, then Chennai, followed by Hyderabad, and finally moving to North India between September 29 and 30. Each stop is designed to engage audiences and build buzz before the big day.

The makers have also tied up with Karnataka Postal Circle to release a special cover and postcards with a Batukamma theme. These designs, carrying Bhootakola traditions, highlight the cultural strength behind the story. India Post said the idea is to share Karnataka’s folklore and spirituality with the wider world. This unusual step shows that ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ is not being treated as just another film release. It has turned into a cultural showcase, one that combines cinema, heritage, and pride in tradition, while preparing to storm screens both in India and abroad.