When a film rooted in Indian folklore can shake the nation once again, you know it’s not just a movie — it’s an emotion. Kantara: Chapter 1 (Hindi), Rishab Shetty’s ambitious prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, has set theatres ablaze across India. Within hours of its release, the film created massive hype, breaking into the Top 10 Hindi Openers of 2025 a feat no one saw coming from a dubbed release.
The Hindi version of Kantara: Chapter 1 opened to packed houses across major cities. According to early estimates, the film earned between ₹19 and ₹21 crore on its first day, making it one of the biggest openings for a South Indian film dubbed in Hindi this year.
From Mumbai to Delhi and Jaipur to Kolkata, audiences were drawn in by Rishab Shetty’s magnetic storytelling, mythological world-building, and breathtaking visuals. Theatres reported over 75% occupancy during prime-time shows an impressive figure considering stiff competition from ongoing Bollywood releases.
Trade analysts predict that if this trend continues, Kantara: Chapter 1 could easily cross ₹60 crore in its first weekend (Hindi version alone).
The first Kantara film earned cult status for blending spirituality, culture, and raw emotion into a cinematic powerhouse. With Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty not only goes back in time but also raises the scale and soul of the story. The film explores the divine origins of the Deva legend, giving fans a mythological experience rarely seen in Indian cinema. Thanks to its Hindi release and universal themes, it’s connecting beyond language barriers. udience reactions on X and Instagram are filled with phrases like “goosebumps guaranteed” and “pure cinematic devotion.”
Critics across India have praised Kantara: Chapter 1 for its spiritual depth, cinematic visuals, and Rishab Shetty’s commanding performance. Many are calling it a “divine experience” rather than just entertainment. It’s a thunderous start Rishab Shetty’s Kantara universe just got bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking,” wrote one film critic.
On social media, #KantaraChapter1 and #RishabShetty were trending all day. Fans flooded comment sections with admiration, calling it a “film that redefines faith and fear.” Some even compared it to the scale of Baahubali and KGF, saying Kantara 1 offers something more spiritual and grounded.
Comparison with 2025 Big Releases
2025 has seen several high-profile Hindi releases but Kantara Chapter 1 is standing tall among giants.
Here’s how it stacks up (Hindi version only):
- War 2 – ₹27 crore (Day 1)
- Housefull 5 – ₹23 crore (Day 1)
- Sikandar – ₹20.2 crore (Day 1)
- Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) – ₹20 crore (approx.)
That makes Kantara the fourth biggest Hindi opener of 2025 so far an outstanding achievement for a non-Bollywood film.
The Rishab Shetty Factor
Rishab Shetty has once again proven that content reigns supreme. His performance as a spiritual warrior, combined with intense direction and music, has made audiences connect emotionally. Unlike commercial masala entertainers, Kantara 1 thrives on emotion, culture, and faith.
“I didn’t come to act, I came to experience,” said a viewer outside a Delhi cinema, reflecting the sentiment shared by many.
Rishab’s dual role as actor-director has earned him nationwide respect. Many trade experts are calling him “the storyteller India needs right now.”
If Kantara Chapter 1 maintains its stronghold, analysts predict it may touch ₹100 crore in just 4–5 days (across all versions). In Hindi, steady word-of-mouth and weekend holidays could push it beyond ₹60–65 crore by Sunday. The film’s performance in the North belt and metropolitan regions will decide its long-term trajectory. Multiplexes have already increased night show counts due to overwhelming demand.
Kantara isn’t just breaking records it’s reviving India’s deep-rooted folklore and faith-driven storytelling. The film’s success in Hindi proves that audiences are ready to embrace stories that are local at heart but universal in appeal. It’s not often that a Kannada film, dubbed in Hindi, can draw audiences away from mainstream Bollywood titles but Rishab Shetty has achieved just that.
Kantara Chapter 1 (Hindi) has arrived like a storm. With ₹20 crore Day 1 collections, top-tier occupancy, and powerful audience reactions, Rishab Shetty has officially conquered 2025’s box office charts. If the film maintains its momentum, it could end up as one of the biggest pan-India blockbusters of the year. More importantly, it’s a win for regional cinema, mythological storytelling, and the power of faith on screen. This isn’t just cinema it’s devotion in motion.
