Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Review: Fans Declare Rishab Shetty’s Film an Epic Blockbuster

Kantara prequel is an emotionally shattering, visually surreal cinematic spectacle. Fans hail Rishab Shetty as a master storyteller, predicting a new box office phenomenon.

October 2, 2025: The wait is finally over for one of the most anticipated films of the year: ‘Kantara Chapter 1′ has released in cinemas today, October 2, 2025, on the auspicious occasion of the Dussehra holiday. Directed by and starring the acclaimed Rishab Shetty, this epic prequel delves into the ancient origins of the Bhuta Kola tradition, expanding the mystical universe established by the $400+ crore worldwide grosser, Kantara (2022).

The film has generated sky-high expectations, with early audience reactions on social media hailing the climax as the “best in Indian cinema.”

Massive Advance Bookings Signal Bumper Opening

The pre-release buzz for the Hombale Films production has translated into phenomenal advance booking figures, confirming its status as a major pan-India release.

• Total Advance Sales: ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ sold over 4 lakh tickets before release, with the total advance booking net collection surpassing ₹11 crore across all languages.
• Language Breakup: The Kannada version leads the sales, while the dubbed Hindi version has already crossed ₹2.5 crore in advance collections.
• Box Office Prediction: Given the wide release and the festive boost, trade experts predict that the prequel could see an enormous opening day collection, with estimates ranging from ₹40–45 crore net across India. This would comfortably place it among the top openers of the year.

Climax Hailed as ‘Unforgettable’ by Fans

Initial fan reviews flooding social media are overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise directed at the visual spectacle and the climax.

• Fan Reaction: Audiences are using phrases like “Goosebumps guaranteed” and “Visually surreal, emotionally shattering” to describe the film. A strong consensus on platforms like Twitter is that the final sequence is a “Big FEAST” and among the most powerful climaxes ever seen in Indian cinema.

The film’s performance over the extended holiday weekend will be crucial in determining its overall run, but the initial response suggests Kantara Chapter 1 is set to dominate the box office.

Cast and Crew

The period mythological action drama, which is set centuries before the original, features a talented ensemble cast:

• Lead Role: Rishab Shetty
• Key Cast: Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, and Rakesh Poojari.
• Producer: Hombale Films

The production is noted to be on a much grander scale than the original, aiming to deliver a powerful blend of folklore, spirituality, and action.