Sandalwood

5 days ago

32035 views

Kantara Chapter 1 Nears the End of Its Glorious Box Office Run After Crossing 850 Crore Worldwide

Bengaluru, November 18 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues its stunning domination at the global box office, now crossing the 850 crore worldwide mark as it heads toward the final leg of its theatrical journey. The film has already become the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, and this latest milestone only further solidifies that remarkable feat. The action epic saga has grossed approximately 740 crore in India and 111 crore overseas in 47 days so far, showcasing strong acceptance not just at home but in international markets too. From its opening day itself, the film benefited from excellent word of mouth, eventually turning into a cultural wave that continued to swell week after week. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu's Varanasi Set to Be One of India's Costliest Films: Budget Revealed Having already surpassed the worldwide total of Blockbuster mega blockbuster Chhaava, which grossed 808 crore, Kantara Chapter 1 had claimed the top position this year much earlier among the Indian films. Now, by crossing 850 crore globally, the film adds another shining chapter to its tally of achievements as its theatrical run begins to wind down. Produced by Hombale Films, the prequel is the 13th Indian film ever to top 850 crores worldwide, and it is likely to finish its run with this rank. It stands as a proud example of how deeply rooted Indian storytelling can achieve global resonance. The film's spiritual themes, powerful visuals, and Rishab Shetty's masterful directorial craft and acting captivated audiences far and wide. Indian Cinema Prepares For Its Most Ambitious Line-up Yet With Ramayana, Varanasi, King, and More Stay tuned...

Kollywood

9 days ago

855 views

Gulshan Devaiah Expands Southward Securing Tamil Debut in Crime Series Legacy

Fresh off the success of his Kannada blockbuster Kantara: Chapter 1, versatile actor Gulshan Devaiah is set to conquer new territory with his Tamil debut in the highly anticipated crime drama series, Legacy. The series, slated for a Netflix release, will see Devaiah sharing screen space with a formidable ensemble cast including R. Madhavan, Nimisha Sajayan, and Gautham Karthik. While making strides in Tamil cinema, it is important to clarify Devaiah's recent impactful role. He played the formidable antagonist, King Kulashekhara, in Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 phenomenon. His portrayal of the flawed and powerful royal has garnered significant praise for its dark intensity and authenticity. Devaiah himself described the character as an entitled, jealous, good-for-nothing, perpetually drunk idiot...who become most dangerous when they get power. Now, Devaiah transitions from a historical king to a modern-day lawman in Legacy. He will portray a conflicted police officer struggling with his sense of responsibility towards his duty, family, and self. In a recent interview, Devaiah expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, Legacy is a wonderful opportunity for me to find linguistic diversity in my career. After about 14 years of working primarily only in Hindi, I feel settled enough to spread my wings a bit and fly. The series is directed by Charukesh Sekar and produced by Kalyan Subramanian of Stone Bench Pvt Ltd.The official logline for Legacy describes the story of an ageing patriarch of a powerful crime family who races against time to anoint a successor to protect his mighty empire from an inevitable siege. The narrative promises a gripping tale of power, morality, and vengeance. The ensemble cast also includes Abhishek Banerjee, Swaswika, Kaali Venkat, Harish Uthaman, and Ramesh Thilak. A release date for the series has not yet been announced. This move marks a significant step for Devaiah in expanding his presence in the South Indian film industry, following the widespread recognition he received for Kantara: Chapter 1.Fans are eagerly awaiting to see him bring his signature versatility to the Tamil screen.

Sandalwood

15 days ago

3223 views

Kantara Chapter 1 Rishab Shetty Celebrates a Monumental Journey as the Film Crosses ₹844 Cr Worldwide

Rishab Shetty took to X to share heartfelt gratitude as Kantara: Chapter 1 marked a historic milestone. Sharing pictures from the film"™s success celebration, he wrote that the journey has been "œmonumental" and dedicated the victory to the audience. The actor-filmmaker and his team gathered to celebrate what has become one of India"™s biggest box-office stories of 2025. ಈ ಗೆಲುವು ಕೇವಲ ನಮ್ಮದಲ್ಲ, ಎಲ್ಲರದು. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ ಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ ಋಣಿ.The journey of #KantaraChapter1 has been monumental!We gathered as a team to celebrate, yet this victory truly belongs to you, the audience. ✨Standing together, deeply grateful for this historic run.We poured"¦ pic.twitter.com/xNYLZcUpaQ— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) November 8, 2025 The mythological-action prequel has delivered a phenomenal run across markets, clocking ₹ 844.27 crore worldwide. In India, it registered ₹ 615.65 crore (net) and ₹ 733.77 crore (gross), with an overseas total of ₹ 110.5 crore. Among its language versions, the Kannada version earned ₹ 197.57 crore, while the Hindi dubbed release alone scored an impressive ₹ 219.89 crore "” underlining the film"™s massive pan-India reach. Rishab Shetty returns both behind and in front of the camera with Kantara: Chapter 1, taking audiences back to the origins of the universe fans fell in love with in the 2022 hit Kantara. This prequel explores the stories and legends that shaped the world of the original, mixing thrilling action with heartfelt moments, all set against a vivid tapestry of local culture and age-old traditions. The film also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles, and is produced by Hombale Films, the banner behind major Kannada hits like KGF and Salaar. Audiences have responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, praising the film"™s spiritual depth, visual scale, and Rishab Shetty"™s intense performance. Critics noted how the prequel manages to stay emotionally grounded while expanding the cinematic universe introduced in Kantara (2022). The music, rustic setting, and rooted storytelling have further enhanced its mass appeal across languages. For fans eager to catch the film at home, the Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam versions of Kantara: Chapter 1 made their OTT debut on October 31, 2025, while the Hindi version is expected to premiere digitally on November 27, 2025. This staggered release gives audiences nationwide a chance to experience the folklore action saga from the comfort of their homes.With Kantara: Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty has not only built upon his legacy but also reinforced Kannada cinema"™s growing influence on the national stage. What began as a regional folk-action tale has evolved into a pan-India phenomenon "” and the film"™s celebration post on X perfectly captures that spirit of gratitude and triumph.

OTT

24 days ago

2461 views

OTT Watchlist Expands with Kantara and Other Big Releases This Week Oct 27 to Nov 2

Bengaluru, October 27 - The exhibitors of Karnataka finally had a moment of joy this year with Rishab Shetty-fronted Kantara Chapter 1 doing excellent business and bringing people to theatres in big numbers. They were hoping for more to come, but their happiness has been cut short by a disappointing and questionable move by the makers. Despite the film continuing its very good run and showing remarkable stability across regions, the team has decided to drop it on the OTT platform much sooner than expected. At a time when almost every South Indian film is dropping on OTT after just four weeks of its theatrical release, Kantara Chapter 1 had the perfect chance to break the trend. The Rishab Shetty directorial was still performing excellently at the box office, showing no signs of slowing down even in its fourth weekend. With a strong hold and exceptional word of mouth, the film was well on its way to extending its glorious run and setting new benchmarks for long theatrical sustainability in the post-pandemic era. In its fourth weekend alone, the film grossed over 30 crores domestically, with nearly half of that coming from the Kannada version. These are solid numbers for a film that opened to massive numbers in its initial week, proving its continued dominance and audience connection. A longer exclusive theatrical run could have easily pushed the film's lifetime total significantly higher, adding many more crores to its already stellar tally. However, the makers have now officially confirmed the film's OTT release. The period folk actioner will drop on Amazon Prime Video on October 31st in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions, four weeks after its release. This decision comes across as both disappointing and questionable, especially considering the film's ongoing momentum at the ticket windows. In opting for an early digital release, the team may have left considerable box office potential untapped, undermining what could have been an even more historic run. Beyond the numbers, this move also affects exhibitors, particularly in Karnataka, where Kantara Chapter 1 has been a saviour amid a dull theatrical year. A longer theatrical run would have benefited both the film's legacy and the local theatre chains, reinforcing the power of strong content to sustain on the big screen. Instead, this shortened window feels like a missed opportunity for both the industry and the film's makers, and more importantly, for the theatre ecosystem, which has been struggling this year in Karnataka. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

26 days ago

22337 views

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Crosses 3 Crore Admissions To Become Most Watched Film of 2025 In India; Tops 1 Crore Footfalls In Hindi

Bengaluru, October 28 - Amid the disappointing news of early OTT release, Risabh Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues to draw big crowds in theatres. In a massive milestone, it has become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, beating the Bollywood blockbuster Chhaava. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 has been one of its kind phenomena for Kannada cinema. The film's box office juggernaut has made it the most-watched Indian title of 2025 in theatres. In 26 days so far, the film has sold approximately 3.20 crores tickets in India across all languages, beating Chahava's 3.10+ crores admissions to become the number 1 movie of 2025. Kantara Chapter 1 is the second movie of 2025 and the ninth film in the post-pandemic era to top 3 crores (30 million) footfalls at the Indian box office. Yash-fronted KGF Chapter 2 remains the biggest blockbuster with over 5 crores admissions, and it, along with Kantara 2, is the only Kannada film of all time to reach 3 crores admissions. The prequel to 2022's blockbuster has also topped 1 crore (10 million) footfalls in the dubbed Hindi version, becoming the first South Indian film of 2025 to do so. The original Kannada version is the number 2 with around 80 lakh admissions, while Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions have sold over 1.30 crores tickets so far. Meanwhile, the film has grossed approximately 817 crores worldwide, including around 707 crores in India and 110 crores overseas, after 26 days. It was well on course to finish with 875+ crores worldwide, but the target now looks difficult after makers confirmed its digital release from October 31 in South Indian versions. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

27 days ago

13141 views

Kantara Chapter 1 On OTT: A Questionable and Disappointing Move From Makers of Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster

Bengaluru, October 27 - The exhibitors of Karnataka finally had a moment of joy this year with Rishab Shetty-fronted Kantara Chapter 1 doing excellent business and bringing people to theatres in big numbers. They were hoping for more to come, but their happiness has been cut short by a disappointing and questionable move by the makers. Despite the film continuing its very good run and showing remarkable stability across regions, the team has decided to drop it on the OTT platform much sooner than expected. At a time when almost every South Indian film is dropping on OTT after just four weeks of its theatrical release, Kantara Chapter 1 had the perfect chance to break the trend. The Rishab Shetty directorial was still performing excellently at the box office, showing no signs of slowing down even in its fourth weekend. With a strong hold and exceptional word of mouth, the film was well on its way to extending its glorious run and setting new benchmarks for long theatrical sustainability in the post-pandemic era. In its fourth weekend alone, the film grossed over 30 crores domestically, with nearly half of that coming from the Kannada version. These are solid numbers for a film that opened to massive numbers in its initial week, proving its continued dominance and audience connection. A longer exclusive theatrical run could have easily pushed the film's lifetime total significantly higher, adding many more crores to its already stellar tally. However, the makers have now officially confirmed the film's OTT release. The period folk actioner will drop on Amazon Prime Video on October 31st in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil versions, four weeks after its release. This decision comes across as both disappointing and questionable, especially considering the film's ongoing momentum at the ticket windows. In opting for an early digital release, the team may have left considerable box office potential untapped, undermining what could have been an even more historic run. Beyond the numbers, this move also affects exhibitors, particularly in Karnataka, where Kantara Chapter 1 has been a saviour amid a dull theatrical year. A longer theatrical run would have benefited both the film's legacy and the local theatre chains, reinforcing the power of strong content to sustain on the big screen. Instead, this shortened window feels like a missed opportunity for both the industry and the film's makers, and more importantly, for the theatre ecosystem, which has been struggling this year in Karnataka. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

27 days ago

1700 views

Kantara Chapter 1 readies for its grand OTT arrival after conquering the box office

With October closing out, digital platforms are ushering in a rich spread of new titles across languages and genres. Leading the lineup is Kantara: Chapter 1, the massive Kannada-language hit directed by Rishab Shetty. The film, one of the year"™s most celebrated Indian releases, has collected a staggering ₹813 crore globally, including an India gross of ₹703 crore. The regional breakdown paints an equally impressive picture "” Karnataka leads with ₹236.05 crore, followed by Andhra Pradesh"“Telangana at ₹104.85 crore, Tamil Nadu at ₹69.7 crore, and Kerala at ₹54.9 crore "” with every major region proudly crossing the ₹50 crore mark. The film"™s performance across languages has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Hindi version has stormed into the ₹200 crore club with ₹204.85 crore, while the Kannada version has already crossed the milestone with an impressive ₹236.05 crore[gross] "” reinforcing the film"™s rare pan-Indian resonance. Now, as the buzz builds around its OTT premiere on Amazon Prime Video on October 30 or 31, the excitement is palpable. The film will stream in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, with a Hindi release expected a few weeks later.This move marks a calculated expansion, ensuring the blockbuster"™s reach extends beyond theatres to a nationwide audience eager to relive its raw, elemental energy from home. Joining the week"™s digital lineup are Lokah: Chapter 1 "“ Chandra, dropping on JioCinema on October 31, and Idli Kadai, which lands on Netflix on October 29, together offering viewers a diverse mix of regional storytelling and high-concept drama. The timing of Kantara"™s OTT launch "” barely four weeks after its big-screen premiere "” highlights the evolving release strategies of Indian cinema, where films balance theatrical endurance with digital accessibility. For audiences, it"™s the perfect close to the month: an invitation to witness celebrated performances, immersive visuals, and storytelling that transcends language barriers "” all from the comfort of their screens.

Sandalwood

28 days ago

37202 views

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Outgrosses Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava To Become Highest-Grossing Indian Film of 2025

Bengaluru, October 26 - Hombale Films' period folk actioner Kantara: Chapter 1 continues to create history at the box office. The film has now surpassed the lifetime worldwide collection of Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna's Chhaava to emerge as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. The prequel, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, has been performing exceptionally well across all markets, showing remarkable hold even in its fourth week. On its 25th day, Kantara: Chapter 1 has overtaken Chhaava, which had finished its lifetime run with a total of around 808 crore. With this feat, the film has rewritten box office records for the year by becoming the biggest Indian grosser. The movie's collections have been rock solid in the Hindi belt and the South, with overseas markets adding significantly to its global tally. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara 2 became the first film to cross the 200 crore mark in Karnataka, and currently stands at around 235 crores in 25 days. The Hindi belt has performed equally good with collections more or less similar to Karnataka gross, while it is also strong in Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The film has drawn praise for its powerful storytelling, cultural depth, and Rishab Shetty's commanding performance. Despite facing competition from several big-ticket releases in October, the film maintained extraordinary momentum due to strong word-of-mouth and repeat viewership. Its success across languages has made it a true pan-India phenomenon. With this milestone, Kantara: Chapter 1 not only becomes the top-grossing film of 2025 but also joins the elite list of Indian films to cross 800 crore worldwide. The movie's theatrical run is still far from over, as the movie aims to finish around 875 crores worldwide. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

29 days ago

13609 views

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Storms Past 200 Crore Net In Hindi

Mumbai, October 25 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 has achieved yet another historic milestone, becoming the first South Indian film of 2025 to enter the 200 crore net club in Hindi. The film continues to maintain a solid hold even in its fourth week, proving the lasting power of word-of-mouth. On its 24th day (4th Saturday), the period folk actioner added an estimated 4.25 crore net, pushing its Hindi total beyond 200 crore. With this, the Rishab Shetty starrer has become only the sixth South Indian film ever to achieve this feat in Hindi, joining the elite ranks of Baahubali 2, KGF Chapter 2, Pushpa: The Rise, RRR, and Kalki 2898 AD. The consistency in its collections is a testament to its wide acceptance across audiences and its strong emotional connection. Overall, it is the 45th film of all time to hit 200 crores in net collection in Hindi. The last film to hit the milestone was Saiyaara. The film's performance is even more impressive considering the limited promotional campaign and its deeply regional setting. What started as a folklore-driven story from coastal Karnataka has grown into a nationwide cinematic phenomenon, resonating with viewers for its authenticity, music, and spiritual themes. Rishab Shetty's direction and performance have both been universally praised for blending realism with divinity in a way rarely seen on the big screen. As the film continues its glorious run, it stands as a shining example of how rooted storytelling can break all language barriers and achieve pan-India success. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

31 days ago

15979 views

Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 Remains Rock Solid Amid Competition At The Hindi Box Office: Set To Enter 200 Crore Club

Mumbai, October 23: Rishab Shetty's mega blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 is set to enter the 200 crores net club at the Hindi box office in the coming days as it continues its glorious march, showing remarkable resilience. Despite new competition from Bollywood Diwali releases, the period action drama has managed to hold its ground strongly across the northern circuits. After two weeks of consistent performance, Kantara Chapter 1 faced competition from Thamma and Deewaniyat during the Diwali festive week. Yet, the Hindi-dubbed version of the film remained strong, scoring approximately 26 crores net from the third Friday to Wednesday. In 21 days so far, the film has scored approximately 189 crore net in Hindi and is inching towards the coveted 200 crore milestone. The film's positive word-of-mouth and devotional storytelling have contributed to its sustained success across regions. In multiplexes and single screens alike, Kantara Chapter 1 continues to draw crowds, with minimal drops even during weekdays. The film's blend of spirituality, folklore, and raw action has struck a universal chord with audiences across languages. Kantara 2 will become only the second Kannada movie after KGF 2 to reach 200 crores net in Hindi. With this feat, Rishab Shetty has reaffirmed his status as one of the most formidable creative forces in Indian cinema. The film has already surpassed the lifetime Hindi collections of several major pan-India titles, including 2.0, which minted around 188 crores net. Meanwhile, the blockbuster prequel is heading towards the 800 crores milestone at the worldwide box office and has become the biggest Indian grosser of the year. It has grossed over 770 crores after 21 days, and will become the biggest grosser of 2025 during the 4th weekend. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

32 days ago

7107 views

Rishab Shetty's Blockbuster Kantara Chapter 1 Sets Up Release Date In English; Theatrical Runtime Reduced

Bengaluru, October 22 - Kannada actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 is running riot at the box office, and heading towards becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year worldwide, having already grossed over 750 crores in 20 days. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara Chapter 1 was released in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil languages, and it has been performing well in every version. Now, to cash in on the glowing word of mouth among the international audience, the makers have set up a release in English. On Wednesday (October 22), Hombale Films took to social media to confirm the blockbuster prequel will be hitting worldwide cinemas on October 31st in the dubbed English version. It will release with a shortened runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes, while the original runtime is 2 hours and 49 minutes. It needs to be seen how this latest strategy works for the film, as most of the target audience has already watched it. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 is the prequel to 2022's blockbuster Kantara, which grossed over 400 crores worldwide. The latest blockbuster was released amid solid buzz, which translated into massive footfalls in cinemas as it is currently the second most-watched Indian title of the year, behind Chhaava. It will become the biggest grosser as well as the most-watched in the coming days. Stay tuned...

Sandalwood

33 days ago

33156 views

Kantara: Chapter 1 Streaming Date Uncertain as Theatrical Run Breaks Records

Rishab Shetty"™s Kantara: Chapter 1, the rustic thriller that has captured audiences across India, continues to dominate the box office just 19 days into its theatrical release, with an extraordinary worldwide collection surpassing ₹732 crore (estimated), including approximately ₹107.25 crore(est) from overseas markets. While fans eagerly anticipate the film"™s OTT debut, the exact streaming date remains uncertain as the theatrical run shows no signs of slowing down.. Early reports suggested a potential premiere on Amazon Prime Video around October 30, 2025, roughly four weeks after the film"™s theatrical release. The movie is expected to be available in multiple Indian languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, with a Hindi-dubbed version likely releasing about eight weeks after the theatrical debut. However, the streaming platform has yet to officially confirm any dates. With the film"™s unprecedented theatrical success, there is a possibility that the OTT release could be postponed to maximize its box office performance. Kantara: Chapter 1 has made remarkable inroads across all major regions in India. The film"™s collection in Karnataka alone has crossed the ₹200 crore mark, underlining the massive appeal in its home state. Meanwhile, other key markets have also performed exceptionally well: Andhra Pradesh & Telangana contributed approximately ₹99.9 crore, Tamil Nadu added ₹60.95 crore, Kerala grossed ₹50.8 crore, and the rest of India collectively brought in around ₹206.1 crore. These numbers clearly demonstrate the pan-Indian craze for the film and its widespread acceptance beyond language and regional boundaries. The film has struck a chord with audiences thanks to its stunning visuals, strong performances, and a story rooted in the enigmatic forest of Kantara. Its mix of local legend, action, and drama has made it a must-watch hit across the country, turning Kantara: Chapter 1 into a cultural phenomenon. Fans eager to stream the epic tale may have to wait a little longer, as the OTT release could be postponed to allow the film"™s theatrical run to continue breaking records. The immense box office success signals that Kantara: Chapter 1 has set a new benchmark for Indian cinema, proving that a well-crafted story with strong performances can captivate audiences far and wide.