October 13, 2025: Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 is nothing short of a box office juggernaut. Following the success of the 2022 hit Kantara: A Legend, Shetty’s return to the screen with this intense prequel has left audiences mesmerized and the box office buzzing. The film has been a major player in the 2025 box office race, now holding the title of the second-highest-grossing Indian film of the year, surpassing some heavyweight competitors and breaking records along the way.
Opening with a bang, The Rishab Shetty‘s Kantara Chapter 1 had an extraordinary first week, amassing ₹337.4 crore. As the film entered its second week, it showed no signs of slowing down, collecting ₹22.25 crore on Day 9. The excitement only escalated on Day 10 (Second Saturday) when the film witnessed a staggering 75.28% growth, bringing in ₹39 crore, with the Hindi belt contributing ₹14.25 crore of the total haul. On Day 11 (Second Sunday), the film continued its upward trajectory, collecting ₹39 crore once again, pushing its total domestic collection to ₹439 crore.
Kantara Chapter 1 Surpasses Major Milestones, Becomes 2nd Highest-Grossing Indian Film of 2025
In a remarkable feat, Kantara Chapter 1 has surpassed the lifetime collections of several major films. It now stands above Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (₹406.45 crore), SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (₹420 crore), Ahaan Panday’s Saiyaara (₹409 crore), and Rajinikanth’s Jailer (₹407 crore). The film’s overwhelming success demonstrates not only its appeal across audiences but also its ability to stand strong in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
The battle for supremacy at the box office heated up with the release of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, a Karan Johar-backed film starring Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. Despite its star-studded cast and backing from one of Bollywood’s biggest names, the film has struggled to make an impact at the box office, with its earnings still shy of ₹50 crore. In stark contrast, Kantara Chapter 1 has triumphed, proving that a compelling story and strong performances can outweigh star power.
At its core, Kantara Chapter 1 serves as a prequel to the 2022 smash hit Kantara: A Legend, where Rishab Shetty once again takes center stage, both behind and in front of the camera. The film also features strong performances from Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayam Ravi. Shetty’s journey as a filmmaker began in the Government Film and Television Institute (GFTI) in Bengaluru, where his love for storytelling took root, and he’s since grown into one of the most promising talents in the industry.
With Kantara Chapter 1 continuing to shatter expectations, it’s safe to say that Rishab Shetty’s vision has struck a chord with Indian audiences in a way few films have in recent memory. The film’s box office performance reflects not just its storytelling power but also its ability to resonate with fans across the country.