Rishab Shetty’s highly anticipated mythological prequel Kantara Chapter 1 has taken the Indian box office by storm, delivering an opening day performance that has left industry experts stunned. The film, which released on October 2, 2025, during the Dussehra holiday, has shattered expectations and created multiple box office records.
Phenomenal Opening Day Collections
According to trade reports, Kantara Chapter 1 collected a staggering ₹47.76 crore on its opening day across India, with estimates suggesting the final figure could cross the ₹50 crore mark. This is a monumental achievement, especially when compared to the original Kantara, which earned just ₹1.95 crore in Karnataka on its first day back in 2022.
The prequel’s Hindi version alone is projected to earn between ₹19-21 crore net on day one, representing a jaw-dropping 1400% increase over the original film’s opening of ₹1.27 crore. This exceptional performance has propelled Kantara Chapter 1 into the top 10 highest-grossing Hindi openers of 2025.
Record-Breaking Advance Bookings and Occupancy
The film’s advance booking numbers were equally impressive. Kantara Chapter 1 sold over 700,000 tickets in just 12 hours on BookMyShow, registering a 354% higher opening occupancy compared to its predecessor. The final pre-sales touched ₹19.44 crore gross, with the film witnessing a remarkable 49% jump in bookings during the final 24 hours before release.
By 6 PM on opening day, the film had already crossed 1 million tickets on BookMyShow, a testament to the massive audience anticipation surrounding this mythological spectacle.
Biggest Dussehra Release in History
Kantara Chapter 1 has emerged as the biggest Dussehra release ever, surpassing previous heavy-hitters like Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan, Chiranjeevi’s Godfather, and Mahesh Babu’s Spyder. The film also outperformed Yash’s KGF Chapter 1, which had minted around ₹18.10 crore on its opening day.
In Karnataka, the home state where the story is rooted, the film recorded an impressive 73.56% Kannada occupancy, and trade analysts believe it could potentially match KGF Chapter 2‘s opening day numbers in the state if momentum sustains.
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Critical Acclaim Drives Collections
Beyond the numbers, Kantara Chapter 1 has received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The visually splendid prequel successfully answers questions left open by the original while maintaining the divine magic and folk culture authenticity that made Kantara a cult classic.
With strong word-of-mouth spreading rapidly, industry watchers predict that Kantara Chapter 1 is racing toward the ₹100 crore club, potentially achieving this milestone faster than most anticipated. The film’s success proves that quality content rooted in Indian culture and mythology can create box office magic that transcends language barriers and regional boundaries.
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Vinod Singh is an entertainment news writer with a flair for storytelling and a passion for films, television, and celebrity culture. He delivers engaging, accurate, and timely updates on Bollywood, OTT, and pop culture, keeping readers entertained and informed about the latest happenings in the world of showbiz.