Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Crosses ₹22 Crore Mark by 2 PM – A Strong Start at the Box Office

The much-anticipated prequel, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, has made a thunderous entry at the box office. By 2 PM on its opening day, the film had already crossed the ₹22 crore mark, setting the stage for what looks like another blockbuster run from the Kantara franchise.

After the historic success of the original Kantara in 2022, expectations from this mythological action drama were sky-high, and the early box office numbers clearly reflect the excitement among moviegoers.

A Massive Opening for Rishab Shetty’s Magnum Opus

Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 opened with packed morning shows across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, with several theatres reporting near houseful boards. The Hindi dubbed version also witnessed impressive occupancy, further contributing to the overall numbers.

Trade analysts confirm that the film collected ₹22 crore (gross) by 2 PM itself, a staggering figure considering it is only the first day. With evening and night shows expected to witness even stronger footfalls, the film could easily cross the ₹40 crore mark by the end of Day 1.

Strong Pre-Release Buzz Converted Into Box Office Gold

The hype around Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 was evident right from its announcement. Rishab Shetty’s reputation as a director who blends Indian folklore, spirituality, and action with mass appeal had fans eager to witness the film’s larger-than-life storytelling.

Advance bookings opened on a record note, with several multiplex chains and single screens selling out within hours. The film’s cultural connect and pan-India release strategy played a key role in ensuring high turnout across regions, not just in South India but also in Northern markets.

Factors Behind the ₹22 Crore Feat

Brand Value of Kantara: The first part became a cult phenomenon, creating huge anticipation for the prequel.
Rishab Shetty’s Presence: As both the lead actor and director, his dual performance continues to be a major crowd-puller.
Mass + Class Appeal: While rooted in folklore and spirituality, the action elements attract younger audiences.
Holiday Weekend Advantage: With its release strategically planned, the film benefited from extended holiday crowds.
Positive Word of Mouth: Early viewers praised the film’s cinematography, world-building, and background score, boosting momentum.

Comparison with Other Big Releases

Crossing ₹22 crore within just half a day puts Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 in league with major Indian blockbusters of 2024–25. In fact, the film’s opening trend is stronger than several recent pan-India releases, proving the strength of regional storytelling when executed with grandeur.

Industry trackers believe the film might cross the ₹100 crore milestone within the first weekend itself if the current momentum holds.

Audience and Critical Response

While critics have pointed out that the film is visually stunning but slightly slower in pace compared to the first part, the general audience reaction has been highly positive. Fans are praising the way Shetty has expanded the Kantara universe with mythological depth, gripping visuals, and powerful performances.

The strong emotional connect and spiritual themes seem to be resonating across audiences, ensuring repeat viewership – a factor that played a huge role in the first Kantara’s long theatrical run.

Final Outlook: A Record-Breaking Journey Ahead

Crossing the ₹22 crore mark by 2 PM on Day 1 is a clear sign that Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 is on its way to becoming one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. With advance bookings still strong and positive word-of-mouth growing, the film is expected to continue dominating the box office in the coming days.

If the trend continues, Rishab Shetty’s ambitious project could join the ₹500 crore global club, further cementing his reputation as a visionary filmmaker who has redefined Indian cinema with folklore-based storytelling.