Kantara: Chapter 1
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.[1]Ancestral conflicts and the beginnings of the Bhuta Kola ritual are explored in this prequel to the 2022 movie Kantara.e.[2][3]
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| Theatrical Teaser Poster | |
| Directed by | Rishab Shetty |
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| Produced by | Vijay Kiragandur |
| Story by | Rishab Shetty |
| Starring | Rishab Shetty Jayaram Kishore Jayasurya Jisshu Sengupta |
| Music by | B. Ajaneesh Loknath |
| Cinematography | Arvind S. Kashyap |
| Edited by | Pratheek Shetty |
| Production company | Hombale Films |
| Distributed by | Hombale Films |
| Release date | 2 October 2025 |
| Running time | 186 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada (also to release in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, English) |
| Budget | ₹125 crore |
| Box office | ₹90 crores[ |
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.
| 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.[4] Prithviraj Productions handled Kerala,[5] AA Films in North India,[6] and various companies managed Telugu[7] and Tamil regions. Overseas distribution was done by Phars Films, while Prathyangira Cinemas handled North America.[8]
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.[9]
External links
References
- ↑ Kantara Chapter 1: Jr NTR To Grace Mega Pre-Release Event Of Rishab Shetty's Mythological Epic On THIS Date . In Times Now . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ Mohanlal to play Rishab Shetty's father in Kantara Chapter 1: Report . In India Today (2024-10-01) . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ Chaluve Gowda reveals Hombale Films' Oscar strategy for Kantara Chapter 1 at WAVES 2025 1 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama, by Bollywood Hungama . In Bollywood Hungama (3 May 2025) . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ Kantara: Chapter 1 makers lock India and overseas distribution partners; all set for October 2 grand release . In OTTplay (6 September 2025) . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ കാന്താര ചാപ്റ്റര്1 കേരളത്തിലെ വിതരണം പൃഥ്വിരാജ് പ്രൊഡക്ഷന്സിന്, ചിത്രം ഒക്ടോബര് 2ന് തീയേറ്ററില് . In Mathrubhumi News (6 September 2025) . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ AA Films to distribute Kantara: Chapter 1 in North India . In The New Indian Express . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ Kantara: Chapter 1 locks massive Telugu release rights as global release plans unfold . In Cinema Express . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ US distributor lits up Kantara Chapter 1 premiere hype . In Cinema Express . Retrieved 3 October 2025
- ↑ Kantara Chapter 1 worldwide box office collection day 1: Rishab Shetty film opens at ₹90 cr; beats Saiyaara, Baahubali . In Hindustan Times (2025-10-03) . Retrieved 3 October 2025