Kantara: Chapter 1
| Kantara: Chapter 1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Rishab Shetty |
| Produced by | Vijay Kiragandur Chaluve Gowda |
| Story by | Rishab Shetty |
| Starring | Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, 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, Phars Films, Prithviraj Productions, AA Films |
| Release date | 2 October 2025 |
| Running time | 186 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada (dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, English) |
| Budget | ₹125 crore |
| Box office | ₹90 crore (first day) |
Kantara: Chapter 1 is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language epic action drama film written and directed by Rishab Shetty and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner of Hombale Films. It serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, exploring the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the ancient connection between humans, nature, and divinity.
Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film blends folklore, spirituality, and raw action to depict the mythic origins of the divine protector Panjurli Daiva. Rishab Shetty stars in the lead role as Berme, a Naga Sadhu gifted with superhuman abilities. The film’s music is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath.
Released on 2 October 2025 in IMAX and 4DX formats during Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, Kantara: Chapter 1 received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, cinematography, and visual grandeur.[1][2]
Plot
Kantara: Chapter 1 follows Berme, a tribal guardian spiritually bonded to the sacred Kantara Forest. When his people are enslaved by Prince Kulasekhara, Berme’s life takes a violent turn. Rescued by Peppe, he returns to discover the devastation of his land by the invading forces.
Guided by ancestral spirits and the forest’s tiger deity, Berme embarks on a journey of vengeance and self-realization. His final battle against Princess Kanakavathi reveals the divine legacy that defines the Kantara legend — ending with Berme restoring balance between nature and mankind.[3]
Cast
- Rishab Shetty as Berme
- Jayaram as King Rajashekara
- Rukmini Vasanth as Princess Kanakavathi
- Gulshan Devaiah as Prince Kulashekara
- Pramod Shetty as Bhogendra
- Naveen D. Padil as Booba
- Rakesh Poojari as Peppe
- Prakash Thuminad as Chenna
- Hariprashanth M. G. as King Vijayendra
- Ayra Krishna as Kulashekara’s wife
- Achyuth Kumar as a trader (guest appearance)
- Pragathi Rishab Shetty in a cameo role
Production
Development
After the success of Kantara (2022), Rishab Shetty confirmed a prequel exploring the origins of Panjurli and Guliga Daiva. The script, written by Shaneel Gautham and Anirudh Mahesh, took eight months to complete. Shetty personally sought divine permission at the Panjurli temple in Mangalore before commencing production.
Filming
Filming began in November 2023 in Kundapura, Shetty’s hometown, with massive forest and temple sets constructed by over 600 artisans. The actor underwent training in sword fighting, Kalaripayattu, and horse-riding for the role. Production briefly halted in late 2024 after a bus mishap but resumed in early 2025 across the forests of Sakleshpur and Udupi.
Soundtrack
The original score and soundtrack were composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, continuing his collaboration from the first film.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Brahmakalasha" | Shashiraj Kavoor | Abby V | 5:44 |
| 2 | "Rebel Song" | Thrilok Vikram | Mime Ramdass | 3:58 |
The Hindi version of "Rebel Song" featured Diljit Dosanjh and gained viral traction ahead of the release.
Release
Kantara: Chapter 1 was released worldwide on 2 October 2025 in multiple formats, including IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, D-Box, and EPIQ. The film was dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and English, marking one of the widest releases for a Kannada film.
Distribution
- Karnataka – Hombale Films
- Kerala – Prithviraj Productions
- North India – AA Films
- Telugu & Tamil regions – regional distributors
- Overseas – Phars Films and Prathyangira Cinemas
Reception
Critical Response
Kantara: Chapter 1 received positive reviews, with critics praising its world-building, performances, and visual scale. Rishab Shetty’s portrayal of Berme and B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s haunting background score were highlighted as standout elements.
Box Office
The film opened with record-breaking collections, earning approximately ₹90 crore worldwide on its first day, with ₹72 crore from Indian markets and ₹20 crore from the Hindi version alone.
External Links
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/kantara-chapter-1-sets-box-office-abuzz-during-the-festival-weekend/article70125464.ece
- ↑ https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/review/2025/Oct/02/kantara-chapter-1-movie-review-visually-stunning-and-compelling-film-traces-the-bloodlines-of-myth-and-power
- ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kantara-chapter-1-fan-in-dindigul-dressed-as-deity-stuns-audience-rishab-shettys-film-crosses-rs-150-crore-in-india/articleshow/124317243.cms