The Divine Upset: Why Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ Surpassed All Expectations

Bengaluru, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 — The film industry is still buzzing. Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ has become a massive, unexpected hit. This Kannada prequel has shattered records. It is now the biggest box office earner of 2025 in India.

Most people in the film trade did not see this kind of success coming. The movie has overperformed, earning more than ₹600 crore across all languages. The secret to this success lies in its unique story and the emotional connection it built with Indian audiences.

Kantara Chapter 1 Initial Forecasts and Wrong Assumptions

Before its release, the film’s outlook was good, but not this great. Initial forecasts expected a strong showing, mostly because the first Kantara in 2022 was a big hit.

• Assumption 1: Success would be limited. Many thought the film would mainly do well in its home state, Karnataka. They assumed the original film’s success was a one-time thing. The prequel, set in 300 CE, was thought to be too local in its subject.
• Assumption 2: The Hindi market would be slow. The Hindi version was not expected to be a major money-maker. People thought only big Bollywood or established South Indian franchises (like KGF 2 or Baahubali 2) could cross the ₹200 crore mark in the Hindi belt.

• Assumption 3: Competition would hurt. The movie was released around a major festival, Dussehra. Trade analysts felt competition from other big releases would limit its screen count and collections.

These assumptions were completely wrong. The film found a massive audience everywhere. The Hindi version alone collected over ₹211 crore. This proved that a strong, culturally rooted story can overcome language barriers.

What Caused the Over-Performance?

✨ The actual performance went beyond any initial plan. Several key factors led to this divine success.

• Deep Cultural Connect: The movie explored the ‘Daiva’ (divine spirit) and ‘Bhoota Kola’ ritual. This subject felt very authentic and spiritual to the audience. It was a story about the land, its people, and their beliefs. This connected deeply with viewers across different regions of India.
• Massive Word-of-Mouth: The film’s opening was big, but it grew even bigger because of positive reviews from the public. People who watched it told their friends and families it was a must-watch experience. This organic, or natural, buzz is the best form of marketing.
• Rishab Shetty’s Vision: Director and lead actor Rishab Shetty delivered a powerful performance. His commitment to the story’s roots was clear. The film’s grand visuals, stunning climax, and brilliant music by Ajaneesh Loknath made it a truly memorable cinematic experience. People wanted to see this kind of spectacle on the big screen.
• High Production Value: Even as a regional Kannada film, the VFX and scale were top-notch. It gave the audience a feeling of watching a huge, epic film.

Corrective Actions and Lessons for the Industry

📝 The huge success of Kantara Chapter 1 teaches the Indian film industry some important lessons. It shows where the old ways of thinking were wrong.

• Prioritize Unique Local Stories: The biggest lesson is that original, culturally rich content works best. Filmmakers must stop trying to copy others. They should tell stories from their own regions with complete honesty.
• Trust the Pan-India Market: The film’s success confirms that the “pan-India” audience is ready for diverse cinema. If the story is powerful, the language will not matter. Other film industries in India should now plan for a wide, multi-language release from day one.
• Hold the OTT Release: One concern was the film’s early release on an OTT platform (Amazon Prime Video). The film started streaming in multiple languages less than four weeks after its theatre release. Many experts feel this hurts its final collection potential. The film was still earning crores daily when it hit streaming. The industry needs to agree on a longer theatrical window—perhaps 8 weeks—for such blockbuster hits. This would allow the film to earn more from theatres before going to mobile screens.

In conclusion, Kantara Chapter 1 was not just a movie; it was a cultural phenomenon. It proved that great storytelling combined with divine themes and a sincere approach can truly create history at the box office.