Kantara Chapter 1 Box Office Day 1: Rishab Shetty’s Film Opens at ₹60 Crore, Rivals Rajinikanth’s Coolie

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 has stormed into theatres with a spectacular opening, nearly matching the thunderous debut of Rajinikanth’s Coolie. Released on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2, 2025), the much-anticipated sequel earned ₹60 crore on its opening day in India, a figure that cements its place among the biggest launches of the year.

Ticket Prices Soar Beyond Caps

Even before the first-day numbers were tallied, the film made headlines for soaring ticket prices in Bengaluru. Despite government caps, tickets were reportedly sold at five to six times higher than the prescribed limit. In many single-screen theatres, the minimum ticket was priced at ₹350, while multiplexes charged between ₹450 and ₹1,200 (inclusive of taxes).

From ₹2 Crore to ₹60 Crore: A Giant Leap

The franchise’s growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. The first Kantara (2022) had a modest ₹2 crore opening day collection in India, relying on word of mouth to eventually cross ₹309 crore domestically and ₹407 crore worldwide. Its sequel, however, blasted past expectations on Day 1 itself, reflecting both heightened anticipation and the expanding reach of the franchise.

Wide Release Across Languages

Kantara Chapter 1 released in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, with over 8,800 shows nationwide:

• Hindi: 4,700 shows, ~30% occupancy

• Kannada: 1,500 shows, ~88% occupancy

• Telugu: 1,000 shows, ~70% occupancy

• Tamil: 840 shows, ~70% occupancy

• Malayalam: 600 shows, ~65% occupancy

The strong response in Kannada and solid numbers in Telugu and Tamil underscored the film’s pan-India appeal.

Matching Rajinikanth’s Coolie

The opening of Kantara Chapter 1 is being compared to Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which earned ₹65 crore on Day 1 in India, and Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG, which posted ₹63 crore. While Shetty’s film fell slightly short of those records, it still secured a place among the top three openers of the year.

Backed by Hombale Films

Produced by Hombale Films, the banner behind blockbusters like KGF and Mahavatar Narsimha, Kantara Chapter 1 was always expected to make waves. Earlier this year, Mahavatar Narsimha grossed ₹250 crore in India and ₹325 crore worldwide. The company’s track record set the stage for Shetty’s magnum opus to become another milestone release.

Setbacks During Production

The journey to the big screen, however, was far from smooth. The production, which began in March 2023, faced several mishaps:

• A boat accident involving 30 crew members, including Shetty, fortunately ended without fatalities.

• A bus accident in 2024 left some crew members injured, though none seriously.

• The tragic deaths of three artistes, including actor Rakesh Poojary, cast a shadow over the production.

Shetty later clarified that not all incidents occurred on set, but admitted the losses were personally difficult to bear.

Director’s Reflections on Tragedy

Speaking about the tragedies, Shetty said, “It’s a huge loss, but we cannot directly connect it to the film. Out of the three people we lost, two were junior artists. One passed away from a heart attack before even reaching the set. Another met with an accident near a river while exploring. The loss of Rakesh Poojary, who played a prominent character and was like a brother to me, was especially painful.”

Audience Craze Across States

The excitement for Kantara Chapter 1 was evident from advance bookings, with many theatres reporting sold-out shows even at inflated ticket prices. In Karnataka, where occupancy touched nearly 90 percent, fans celebrated the release with traditional music, fireworks, and posters.

What’s Next for the Franchise?

With such a roaring start, trade analysts predict Kantara Chapter 1 could easily cross ₹150–₹200 crore in its first week, depending on word of mouth. Given the cultural impact of the first film and the broader release strategy this time, the sequel may surpass its predecessor’s lifetime collections.

Final Word

Kantara Chapter 1 is more than just a sequel—it’s a cultural event. From its humble beginnings in 2022 to becoming a franchise that rivals the biggest Indian films, Rishab Shetty’s vision has struck a chord nationwide. With ₹60 crore in the bag on Day 1, the epic has set the stage for a record-breaking run, standing tall among the year’s biggest cinematic spectacles.