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Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ achieves a major milestone, surpassing the global box office collections of blockbusters like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Sultan’ with ₹655 crore worldwide
When Kantara: Chapter 1 released on October 2, 2025, it did not just hit theaters — it came in with ambitions. What it has achieved since then is nothing short of spectacular. In just over a week, the film has amassed a global box office haul of ₹655 crore, surpassing the lifetime earnings of cinematic giants like Baahubali and Sultan.
This is not merely a victory of numbers — it is a statement: a regional, culturally rooted film can scale the heights of pan-India commercial success. Let us unpack how Kantara Chapter 1 has defied expectations, compare it to the benchmarks it has overtaken, and explore what its unprecedented run says about the present and future of Indian cinema.
A Phenomenal Box Office Journey
Explosive Opening and Sustained Momentum
From Day 1, Kantara Chapter 1 made waves. The film reportedly grossed ₹60–65 crore in India on its first day across its multi-language release. In Karnataka, occupancy rates reached 88–90%, and strong numbers from the Hindi version (estimated ₹19–20 crore) pushed it into rare territory for a Kannada film.
Notably, in its opening, Kantara registered one of the highest single‑day collections of 2025, trailing only behind the likes of Coolie and They Call Him OG It also outperformed the opening numbers of Chhaava and Saiyaara — both major releases in 2025.
What sets Kantara Chapter 1 apart is not just a strong opening burst, but the way it maintained its run. Trade trackers show that by Day 6 or so, it had crossed the ₹400 crore mark globally. By Day 11, Kantara had already crossed ₹600 crore in global gross. mint And by the time the ₹655 crore figure was reported, it had firmly placed itself beyond prior benchmarks.
Domestically, the film also recorded strong net collections. Reports suggest that it crossed ₹316 crore (net) in India in its first week, with both Hindi and Kannada versions contributing significantly. On Day 8, with a Thursday haul of ~₹20.5 crore net, the total domestic net crossed ₹334.94 crore.
Despite the usual midweek slowdowns, Kantara held firm; by Day 12, it crossed ₹450 crore mark domestically. In India Today’s reporting, its gross collections had already outpaced Baahubali: The Beginning within 11 days, putting it into 12th place among highest-grossing Indian films.
In sum: explosive start + steady holds + strong multipliers = blockbuster ride.
The Benchmarks It Overtook: Baahubali and Sultan
To appreciate Kantara Chapter 1’s feat, it’s essential to see what it has surpassed.
Baahubali — A Pillar of Indian Blockbuster Cinema
When SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali: The Conclusion released, they redefined possibility for Indian cinema — in scale, mythic ambition, visual spectacle, and box office expectations. Baahubali became a yardstick: for pan-India reach, mass appeal, dubbing across languages, and cross‑region fervor.
According to trade reporting, Baahubali: The Beginning had a lifetime net box office collection of ~₹421 crore (in India) and was among the top Indian films in terms of footprint and returns. Baahubali: The Conclusion and its combined legacy far exceed this, but Kantara’s immediate target was primarily Baahubali: The Beginning.
That Kantara overtook Baahubali: The Beginning within days is remarkable. India Today reported that Kantara became India’s 12th biggest hit, overtaking Baahubali: The Beginning. That movement is not just symbolic — it’s a sign that the dynamics of Indian box office are shifting. A film from a relatively smaller budget and regional origin is now able to assail what was once a sacred fortress.
Sultan — The Bollywood Super Hero of 2016
On the mainstream Bollywood front, Sultan (2016) starring Salman Khan carried a massive brand value and box office expectation. Reports had pegged Sultan’s total worldwide gross at around ₹550 crore (domestic + overseas), with ₹401.46 crore domestic gross and ₹151.92 crore overseas.
The news that Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed ₹655 crore globally thus means it now overshadows Sultan in global earnings. This is perhaps even more striking considering the massive star power, marketing budgets, and pan-India/distribution advantages that Sultan had at its disposal. In effect, the new order is: Kantara Chapter 1 now sits above Sultan in global box office tally.
Hence, the headline isn’t hyperbole — the metrics back it. Kantara has outperformed both Sultan and Baahubali (The Beginning) in global box office returns (at least per currently reported figures).
How Did Kantara Pull It Off? Key Factors behind the Breakout Success
A film achieving such a feat is rarely about luck alone. Kantara Chapter 1’s success is a confluence of creative, cultural, strategic, and market factors. Let us examine some of them.
1. Pan-India Appeal + Local Authenticity
While Kantara is deeply rooted in Kannada culture, folklore, and regional motifs, it was conceived from the start as a pan-India release — dubbed and marketed in multiple languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam). This allowed it to tap into various markets without diluting its core identity.
The film’s mythological and folkloric narrative (involving Bhoota Kola, divine spirits, ancient rituals) resonates beyond linguistic boundaries, especially in India’s many regions where oral traditions and mythic storytelling have deep roots.
Thus, while the film draws from local culture, it doesn’t feel parochial — it feels epic, universal. That duality is rare but powerful.
2. Word of Mouth & Sustained Viewing
Blockbusters sometimes die fast after opening. Kantara, thankfully, showed strong retention. Monday-to-Friday drops were softened, and weekend surges continued. The second weekend added significantly to its haul, showing renewed interest.
Trade reports point to strong occupancy levels in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and surprisingly good traction even in non-South markets. Social media buzz, audience praise, and repeat viewership added momentum.
3. Smart Release Strategy & Wide Reach
Kantara launched with a broad footprint: reportedly ~4,700 shows in Hindi, ~1,500 shows in Kannada, plus decent counts in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. This ensured it wasn’t just limited to its “home base” but had visibility everywhere.
Moreover, the timing was advantageous. It began its run before Diwali‑season big releases kicked in, allowing it more breathing room in multiplexes and theaters.
4. Modest Budget vs High Returns
A part of the success equation is risk versus reward. Reports suggest Kantara Chapter 1 was produced on a budget of ~₹125 crore. Compared to many big “blockbuster” films that have budgets in multiples of that, Kantara has delivered extraordinarily high returns on investment.
Even after discounting revenue splits, distribution costs, and other deductions, a film with a “moderate” budget crossing ₹655 crore globally is a rare feat.
5. Creative Strength: Direction, Acting, Visuals
Rishab Shetty not only starred, but also wrote and directed the film. That kind of creative control often helps maintain vision integrity. The film also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, among others.
Critical and audience feedback suggests that Kantara’s strength lies in its world-building, visual design, folklore integration, and emotional core. While spectacle helps, the emotional connectivity and cultural resonance seem to have carried many viewers deeper.
In interviews and reports, attention has also been paid to ancillary contributions — costumes, sound design, and the overall immersive feel. For example, Rishab Shetty’s wife, Pragathi, is noted to have played an influential role in costuming and aesthetic vision.
Challenges, Critiques, and Caveats
No blockbuster run is without its share of challenges and criticisms. It is important to view Kantara’s success with a nuanced lens.
1. Sustainability Beyond Early Weeks
While the first 10–12 days have been historic, films often see steep falloffs in later weeks. The real test will be whether Kantara sustains across weeks and months, especially with new releases entering theaters.
2. Regional Reach vs North India Penetration
While Kantara has made strides in Hindi-speaking markets, there remain circuits (especially in North and central India) where its appeal might be less strong compared to mainstream Bollywood films. Some reports indicate the film’s Hindi version is doing well but not matching the dominance it enjoys in southern states. Reddit+2The Times of India+2
3. Data Verification & Reporting Biases
Box office figures in India are often estimates, subject to reporting biases, distributor claims, and varying methodologies. While ₹655 crore is the reported global gross, some trade analysts may subject it to scrutiny regarding net vs gross, revenue share, and so on. Nonetheless, the consensus across multiple sources gives it credibility.
4. Creative Risks & Expectations
With such success comes heightened expectations for sequels or follow-ups. The pressure to deliver Kantara Chapter 2 (if planned) will be enormous. Also, some critics and viewers have voiced concerns about overhyping, pacing, narrative choices, or storytelling ambitions.
Still, these critiques — so far — have not icnreted significantly in dampening audience enthusiasm.
Why This Moment Matters: A New Era in Indian Cinema?
Kantara Chapter 1 crossing ₹655 crore worldwide and overtaking Baahubali and Sultan is not just a box office headline — it’s a moment of paradigm shift. Here’s why:
- Regional Cinema Redefined
Historically, regional films (Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, etc.) have struggled to break out nationally. Kantara demonstrates that a regional film, with right storytelling and reach, can transcend boundaries. - Content Over Star Power
While stars still matter, Kantara shows that content, local mythology, and narrative authenticity can compete with big names and budgets, especially when well packaged. - Changing Audience Palettes
Indian audiences are more receptive now to stories that carry local flavor and myth, as long as they maintain universal emotional touchpoints. Kantara leverages this trend. - Distribution & Dubbing Strategies
The model of releasing wide language versions, aligning release windows before big festivals, and ensuring show counts in multiplexes all matter. Kantara used these smartly, showing that with the right push, even non‑Bollywood films can get theater share. - Encouragement for Ambitious Filmmakers
For filmmakers working outside the megastudios, Kantara becomes proof that high ambition need not be limited to big industry players. It may inspire more mythic, folklore, regionally rooted cinema with national reach.
What’s Next?
- Box Office Run Continues: Kantara Chapter 1 still has room to grow — through weekdays, rural markets, smaller circuits, and extended runs (if demand persists).
- Ancillary Revenues & OTT: With the theatrical success, subsequent revenue through streaming, satellite rights, merchandise, and so on can further cement its returns.
- Sequel & Universe Potential: Given its prequel structure, a follow-up (Chapter 2) seems likely. Expectations will be high, so the makers will have to balance ambition with audience trust.
- Impact on Industry Strategy: Distributors and studios may now be more willing to back regional, mythic cinema with substantial marketing and wider release ambitions.
When Kantara: Chapter 1 raced past ₹655 crore globally, overtaking cultural and box office behemoths like Baahubali and Sultan, it did far more than break records. It challenged prevailing assumptions about what kinds of films can dominate, where they come from, and how audiences respond.
Its success is not just about numbers — it’s about belief: in regional voices, in stories rooted in local soil yet speaking to universal hearts, and in cinema’s capacity to surprise. For Rishab Shetty and team, this is a crowning moment. For Indian cinema, it may well mark a turning point.
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