Rishab Shetty's 'Kantara Chapter 1' Releases to Massive Response
Prequel film, made on a grand scale, explores the origins of the Daiva tradition in ancient Karnataka.
(India) | October 2, 2025: The much-awaited Kannada film, Kantara: Chapter 1, hit cinema screens across the world today, October 2, 2025. The movie is a prequel to the national blockbuster Kantara (2022) and has received an overwhelmingly positive response from both fans and critics immediately upon release.
Directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, the new film takes the audience far back in time. While the first Kantara showed a land struggle in modern times, Chapter 1 is set during the Kadamba dynasty in the 4th century. The story aims to reveal the original history and secrets behind the Bhuta Kola ritual and the Daivas (divine spirits) like Panjurli and Guliga.
The film centers on the character Berme, played by Rishab Shetty, a tribal warrior who fights against a tyrannical king over the sacred forest land.
Unlike the first movie, which was made on a modest budget, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a massive production, costing around Rs 125 crore. The grand scale is visible through the enhanced visual effects (VFX) and a huge, complex war sequence involving thousands of fighters. Actors Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah also play important roles.
Early reviews praise Rishab Shetty’s powerful acting, especially in the possession and climax scenes, with some critics calling his performance "divine." Reviewers have noted that the second half and the visuals are brilliant, though some mention that the pace in the first half occasionally feels a little slow or scattered.
The movie has started with a huge box office success. Reports confirm that over 1 million tickets were sold on a single online booking platform before release, demonstrating the high public excitement. The film is expected to have a strong opening week and dominate the box office over the extended holiday period.
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