Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 – the prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara – is not just dominating the domestic box office; it’s making waves globally. According to IMDb, it currently ranks 8th among the world’s most popular films, standing tall alongside recent releases like Tron: Ares, The Conjuring: The Last Rites, and One Battle After Another.
Already, it has become the 12th biggest hit in the history of Indian cinema, surpassing Bahubali: The Beginning, and is the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025.
Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, who also stars in the lead, this film is clearly a passion project. Shetty’s dedication is evident not just on screen but also in the behind-the-scenes videos circulating online, which have quickly gone viral. Every frame reflects the heart and soul he has poured into this story. The film also features Gulshan Devaiah in one of the prominent roles, a beloved Hindi actor whose presence adds another layer of appeal.
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The film had an explosive start at the box office, reportedly grossing ₹85–90 crore worldwide on its first day, with ₹72 crore from India alone across all languages. By Day 4, it had already crossed ₹300 crore globally, and in its first week, total collections approached ₹450 crore. By Day 15, the Hindi version alone had earned nearly ₹165 crore net in India, while in Karnataka, the film became the highest-grossing movie ever, amassing over ₹170 crore from just one state.With a modest production budget of ₹125 crore, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is poised to deliver a magnanimous profit for Hombale Films.
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It also enjoys strong audience approval, holding an IMDb rating of 8.6 with close to 40,000 votes, reflecting widespread acclaim and enthusiasm.Much of this success can be attributed to strong word of mouth. Audiences and critics alike have praised the film for its gripping narrative, stunning visuals, and authentic depiction of folklore. While some minor criticisms have emerged – notably its three-hour runtime and a slow setup in the first act – these hardly detract from the film’s momentum.
With no major competition until Maddock’s highly anticipated Thama releases on 21st October, the film enjoys a clear run and has a solid chance of entering the top 10 highest-grossing Indian films of all time.It’s rare to see a film that combines cultural depth, mass appeal, and global recognition with such finesse. Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is more than a prequel—it’s a cinematic phenomenon proving that Indian regional cinema can captivate audiences worldwide.
