Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has not just broken box office records but reignited the soul of Indian storytelling, merging mythology, mysticism, and cinema in an experience that has captivated millions across the country
Our Bureau
Mumbai / Bengaluru
When Kantara: Chapter 1 hit theatres on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, few expected the kind of cultural and commercial storm it would unleash. But within 24 hours, Rishab Shetty’s prequel to his 2022 cult hit Kantara became a nationwide sensation, selling over 1.28 million tickets and recording the highest Day 1 sales of 2025 on BookMyShow. The roar of Kantara was back — deeper, louder, and more spiritual than ever before.
From small-town screenings to multiplex chains, the film has drawn audiences not just to witness cinema, but to experience a divine spectacle. Kantara: Chapter 1, written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, dives into the origins of Daiva worship in Tulunadu, tracing its mythic roots to the fourth-century Kadamba dynasty. At its heart is Berme, the protector of the Kantara forest — a man, a myth, and a mirror to India’s complex spiritual heritage.
Rishab Shetty’s emotional post on X summed up his journey: “From struggling to get one evening show in 2016 to 5000+ houseful shows in 2025. This journey is nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace.”
That statement resonated across social media, as fans and industry peers hailed Shetty’s meteoric rise. What began as a regional Kannada experiment in 2022 has evolved into a national cinematic movement in 2025. His craftsmanship — an uncompromising blend of folklore, faith, and fierce storytelling — has made him a creative force across linguistic and cultural borders.
Acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga was among the first to call the film “a cinematic thunderstorm.” His words, “Indian cinema has never seen anything like this before — raw, divine, and unshakable,” echoed the sentiments of millions who walked out of theatres stunned by what they had witnessed.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher too joined the chorus of admiration, calling Kantara: Chapter 1 “magical brilliance.” Watching it with his family, Kher wrote, “I am speechless. I wish I had more words to describe your and your entire team’s magical brilliance! May Lord Ram bless you.”
Even film critics, often divided on mythic cinema, have found common ground. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh called it a “stunning spectacle” — a fusion of mythology, breathtaking visuals, and soul-stirring storytelling.
“Right from its opening sequence, Kantara: Chapter 1 transports you into a world that is raw, divine, and majestic,” Adarsh wrote. “Rishab Shetty once again proves he is one of the finest storytellers of our times.”
At its core, Kantara: Chapter 1 isn’t merely a film — it’s an ode to India’s layered spirituality. The story unfolds amid the dense forests of coastal Karnataka, where man and nature coexist under the unseen gaze of the divine. Shetty’s character Berme embodies the conflict between earthly greed and sacred duty, as royal power struggles collide with the tribal faith in Daivas — protectors of the land.
Rukmini Vasanth delivers a graceful yet powerful performance, while Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram lend emotional depth to the film’s moral battles. B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music score, described by Vanga as “otherworldly,” elevates the film’s atmosphere, weaving in haunting chants and rhythmic beats that pulse through every frame.
The attention to cultural detail — from rituals to dialects, from costumes to landscapes — cements Kantara: Chapter 1 as not just cinema, but a preservation of oral tradition on film.
What makes the Kantara phenomenon unique is its impact beyond the box office. Fans have described it as a spiritual awakening, a reminder of India’s ancestral roots. “I just came out of the cinema and I’m still shaking,” one fan wrote. “I don’t think anybody else can even match 1% of what Rishab has done in Kantara Ch1.”
Shetty, however, has urged fans to uphold that spirit by avoiding piracy. In a heartfelt note, he wrote: “#KantaraChapter1 is as much yours as ours. Please don’t share or record videos. Let’s keep the magic alive in theatres.”
The appeal has struck a chord — audiences across states have honored his request, choosing to celebrate the experience communally, in packed theatres that feel more like temples than auditoriums.
Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 reinforces the banner’s growing reputation as a powerhouse of rooted, yet pan-Indian cinema. After KGF and Salaar, the studio has once again tapped into India’s mythological imagination — but with a realism that resonates deeply with modern audiences.
Rishab Shetty’s film doesn’t just tell a story. It carries a spirit — ancient, fierce, and unforgettable. In the age of digital distractions, Kantara: Chapter 1 has achieved something rare: it has made millions bow — not to spectacle, but to storytelling.
