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{{#seo:
|title=Kantara: Chapter 1 Movie (2025) – Cast, Story, Songs & More
|description=Discover Kantara 2 – the much-awaited sequel to the Kannada blockbuster, written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Know about its plot, cast, release date, songs, OTT updates & more.
|keywords=Kantara 2 Film, Kantara 2 Biography, Kantara 2 wiki, Kantara 2 Wikibio, Kantara 2 Knowlepedia, Kantara 2 Cast, Kantara 2 Story, Kantara 2 Songs, Kantara 2 Box Office, Kantara 2 Release Date, Kantara 2 OTT, Kantara Film, Kantara Sequel
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|og:title=Kantara: Chapter 1 Movie (2025) – Cast, Story, Songs & More
|og:description=Discover Kantara 2 – the much-awaited sequel to the Kannada blockbuster, written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Know about its plot, cast, release date, songs, OTT updates & more.
|og:image=https://knowlepedia.org/images/thumb/6/63/Kantara_2_poster.jpg/500px-Kantara_2_poster.jpg
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}} {{Infobox film
| name = Kantara: Chapter 1
| image = Kantara 2 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical Teaser Poster
| director = Rishab Shetty
| producer = Vijay Kiragandur
| writer = Rishab Shetty
| screenplay = Rishab Shetty
| story = Rishab Shetty
| dialogues = Rishab Shetty
| starring = Rishab Shetty<br>Jayaram<br>Kishore<br>Jayasurya<br>Jisshu Sengupta
| music = B. Ajaneesh Loknath
| cinematography = Arvind S. Kashyap
| editing = Pratheek Shetty
| studio = Hombale Films
| distributor = Hombale Films
| released = 2 October 2025 
| runtime = 186 minutes
| country = [[India]]
| language = Kannada (also to release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, English)
| budget = ₹125 crore
| gross = ₹90 crores[
| genre = Action / Folklore / Drama (Prequel)
}}'''Kantara: Chapter 1''' is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language action drama film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kantara Chapter 1: Jr NTR To Grace Mega Pre-Release Event Of Rishab Shetty's Mythological Epic On THIS Date |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/kantara-chapter-1-jr-ntr-to-grace-mega-pre-release-event-of-rishab-shettys-mythological-epic-on-this-date-article-152899033 |access-date=3 October 2025 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>Ancestral conflicts and the beginnings of the Bhuta Kola ritual are explored in this prequel to the 2022 movie Kantara.e.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Mohanlal to play Rishab Shetty's father in Kantara Chapter 1: Report |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/mohanlal-to-play-rishab-shettys-father-in-kantara-chapter-1-report-2609408-2024-10-01 |access-date=3 October 2025|website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/chaluve-gowda-reveals-hombale-films-oscar-strategy-kantara-chapter-1-waves-2025/|title=Chaluve Gowda reveals Hombale Films' Oscar strategy for Kantara Chapter 1 at WAVES 2025 1 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=3 October 2025 |date=3 May 2025}}</ref>

The film, which is set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, combines action, spirituality, and folklore to depict how humans relate to the natural world and the divine. The first look and teaser were released on November 27, 2023, and filming started in November of the same year. Starring as a Naga Sadhu with superhuman abilities is Rishab Shetty. The music was composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath.

The movie was well received when it was released in IMAX and 4DX formats on October 2, 2025, during Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra.

== Plot ==
Kantara: Chapter 1 centers on Berme, who is deeply connected to his ancestral Kantara Forest. His identity and lifestyle are shaped by the forest, where he was born and raised. When he and his friends are taken prisoner by Kulasekhar, Berme's journey from the forest to Bagra Port as an adult becomes perilous. Peppe, an ally, comes to his aid.

The Kodapa people soon ambush Berme and his group. A tiger, representing the forest's protective force, emerges and saves him in a dramatic turn. When Berme later returns to Bagra Port, he finds Kulasekhar slaughtering the Kantara Forest's residents in order to take their land.

Berme confronts and murders Kulasekhar in an attempt to exact revenge, starting a fierce conflict. He gains the understanding required for the final confrontation when he discovers the whole truth behind Kanakavathi's story amid the chaos. Berme defeats Kanakavathi at the end of the chapter, bringing peace back and defending his people and their forest.

== Cast ==

* '''[[Rishab Shetty]]''' as Berme
* '''Jayaram''' as King Rajashekara, Kulashekara and Kanakavathi's father
* '''[[Rukmini Vasanth]]''' as Princess Kanakavathi, Kulashekara's sister
* '''Gulshan Devaiah''' as Prince Kulashekara, Kanakavathi's brother
* '''Pramod Shetty''' as Bhogendra
* '''Naveen D. Padil''' as Booba
* '''Rakesh Poojari''' as Peppe
* '''Prakash Thuminad''' as Chenna
* '''Deepak Rai Panaje''' as Sankappa
* '''Hariprashanth M G''' as King Vijayendra, Rajashekhara's father
* '''Bala Rajwadi'''
* '''Sampath Ram'''
* '''Raghavendra S'''
* '''Ranjan Shetty'''
* '''Mithun Raj'''
* '''Prathima Nayak'''
* '''Gagan Murthy'''
* '''Goutham Raj'''
* '''Ayra Krishna''' as Kulashekara's wife
* '''Naveen Bondel'''
* '''Achyuth Kumar''' as a trader (guest appearance)
* '''Pragathi Rishab Shetty''' (guest appearance)

== Production ==
===Development===
In February 2023, Rishab Shetty confirmed a prequel following the success of Kantara (2022). In Mangalore, he asked the god Panjurli for permission, and Shaneel Gautham and Anirudh Mahesh finished the script in eight months. The movie, which is set in pre-colonial Karnataka and centers on the struggle of tribal people against an oppressive monarch, examines the beginnings of Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva.

===Filming ===
With a pooja ceremony in November 2023, filming got underway. The majority of the scenes were filmed in Shetty's Kundapura village, where 600 carpenters constructed enormous sets. Shetty received training in sword fighting, Kalaripayattu, and horseback riding. Shooting was briefly stopped in November 2024 due to a bus accident. Filming shifted to Sakleshpur forests in January 2025, but the crew was fined ₹50,000 for disposing of materials in a protected area.

== Soundtrack ==
The film's music and background score were composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, who also composed for the prequel Kantara. The first single, "Brahmakalasha", was released on 28 September 2025, and the second single, "Rebel Song", was released on 1 October 2025. The Hindi version of "Rebel Song" was sung by Diljit Dosanjh.

{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Title !! Lyrics !! Singer(s) !! Length
|-
| 1 || "Brahmakalasha" || Shashiraj Kavoor || Abby V || 5:44
|-
| 2 || "Rebel Song" || Thrilok Vikram || Mime Ramdass || 3:58
|}

== Release ==
Theatrical Release
Kantara: Chapter 1 was released worldwide on 2 October 2025 in multiple formats including standard, IMAX, D-Box, ICE, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, and EPIQ, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Vijayadashami. Besides Kannada, it was also dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

=== Distribution ===
Hombale Films distributed the movie in Karnataka.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kantara: Chapter 1 makers lock India and overseas distribution partners; all set for October 2 grand release |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/kantara-chapter-1-makers-lock-india-and-overseas-distribution-partners-all-set-for-october-2-grand-release/f6face30f0493 |website=OTTplay |date=6 September 2025 |access-date=3 October 2025}}</ref> Prithviraj Productions handled Kerala,<ref>{{cite web |title=കാന്താര ചാപ്റ്റര്‍1 കേരളത്തിലെ വിതരണം പൃഥ്വിരാജ് പ്രൊഡക്ഷന്‍സിന്, ചിത്രം ഒക്ടോബര്‍ 2ന് തീയേറ്ററില്‍|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/kantara-2-prequel-release-date-prithviraj-productions-1.10891522 |website=Mathrubhumi News|language=Malayalam|date=6 September 2025 |access-date=3 October 2025}}</ref> AA Films in North India,<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 October 2025 |title=AA Films to distribute Kantara: Chapter 1 in North India |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Sep/07/kannadanews2025sep05aa-films-to-distribute-kantara-chapter-1-in-north-india |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> and various companies managed Telugu<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 October 2025 |title=Kantara: Chapter 1 locks massive Telugu release rights as global release plans unfold |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/Sep/11/kantara-chapter-1-locks-massive-telugu-release-rights-as-global-release-plans-unfold |website=Cinema Express}}</ref> and Tamil regions. Overseas distribution was done by Phars Films, while Prathyangira Cinemas handled North America.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=3 October 2025 |title=US distributor lits up Kantara Chapter 1 premiere hype |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/Sep/20/us-distributor-lits-up-kantara-chapter-1-premiere-hype |website=Cinema Express}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
=== Box office ===
According to reports, the movie made ₹90 crore on its first day, of which ₹72 crore came from India and ₹20 crore from the Hindi version alone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Kantara Chapter 1 worldwide box office collection day 1: Rishab Shetty film opens at ₹90 cr; beats Saiyaara, Baahubali |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/kantara-chapter-1-worldwide-box-office-collection-day-1-rishab-shetty-mints-90-crore-beats-stree-2-saiyaara-baahubali-101759473982776.html |access-date=3 October 2025 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

== External links ==
* [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26439764/ IMDb]

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Folklore films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rishab Shetty]]
[[Category:Hombale Films productions]]

Kantara: Chapter 1 - Revision history