Kantara: Chapter 1 Advance Booking Roars — Rishabh Shetty’s Film Nears ₹20 Crore Mark Before Release
When Kantara was released in 2022, no one expected it to become one of Indian cinema's biggest hits. The film grossed an impressive ₹310 crore globally after starting with a modest ₹1.50 crore on its opening day. Rishabh Shetty's prequel Kantara: Chapter 1 has already generated significant interest, with advance bookings reaching approximately ₹20 crore ahead of its October 2 theatrical release, which coincides with Dussehra and Gandhi Jayanti.
From Sleeper Hit to Anticipated Franchise
The Kantara franchise's path exemplifies how powerful word-of-mouth can propel a tiny film into a pan-India phenomenon. While the previous installment took some time to gain traction, the sequel is already generating significant revenue ahead of its debut. Kantara: Chapter 1 grossed ₹12.24 crore in advance sales, according to Sacnilk and industry trackers, with over 4,40,000 tickets sold. With block deals, the sum has risen to ₹19.85 crore, paving the way for a strong opening at the box office.
Clash at the Box Office
The film's release, however, is not without hurdles. Kantara: Chapter 1 competes with Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, which stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor. Both films are fighting for prime screens, resulting in a distribution stalemate. However, the buzz surrounding Rishabh Shetty's film, particularly in Karnataka and South India, guarantees it maintains a competitive advantage.
Pan-India Appeal and Expectations
Rishabh Shetty directs and stars in the prequel, which is set centuries before the first film and delves further into the folklore and secrets that make Kantara such a unique cinematic experience. Along with Shetty, the cast includes Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram. While the Kannada version leads in advance bookings with roughly ₹7.50 crore, the Hindi version is rapidly increasing with ₹2 crore, indicating gaining acceptability across other regions.
With an opening day forecast of ₹40 crore, the film might become one of the largest seasonal releases in 2025. If the trend continues, Kantara: Chapter 1 may not only match, but possibly surpass, its predecessor, cementing the franchise's status as a cultural and commercial force.