Kantara Chapter 1 Box Office: Shows Strong Growth on Saturday, Heads Toward ₹250cr Extended Weekend

Rishab Shetty’s much-anticipated prequel “Kantara: Chapter 1″ is roaring at the Indian box office, recording phenomenal numbers despite mixed expectations for its Hindi version. After a stellar Saturday performance collecting ₹63.50 crore, the mythological thriller is confidently marching toward a ₹255 crore extended weekend collection.

Kantara Chapter 1 Box Office Performance: Day-Wise Breakdown

Saturday’s Strong Performance

Saturday witnessed remarkable growth with the film collecting ₹63.50 crore, a nearly 25% jump from Friday’s ₹51.50 crore. This recovery after the typical Friday drop demonstrates strong word-of-mouth and audience appeal, particularly in North India where the Hindi version grew by an impressive 65-70%.

The growth pattern indicates that audiences who missed the opening day are rushing to theaters during the weekend, driven by overwhelmingly positive reviews and social media buzz about Rishab Shetty’s transformative performance as Chamundi.

Regional Performance Breakdown

Karnataka: Record-Breaking Territory

Karnataka is witnessing unprecedented box office fever. “Kantara: Chapter 1” recorded the biggest Saturday of all time in the state, surpassing even the legendary “KGF: Chapter 2.” With a three-day total of ₹56 crore, it’s just short of KGF 2’s ₹58.50 crore record but with a much stronger upward trend.

The state is operating near capacity, yet still managed 10% growth on Saturday—a testament to the film’s local appeal and Rishab Shetty’s massive Karnataka fanbase. Sunday’s performance could potentially challenge KGF 2’s four-day weekend record if current momentum continues.

For official updates and movie information, visit Hombale Films’ official website or check our box office analysis section on TechnoSports.

North India: Hindi Version Drives Growth

Most of Saturday’s growth came from the Hindi version in North India, which exploded with 65-70% growth. This surge indicates that Hindi-speaking audiences are discovering the film through word-of-mouth despite the dubbed version’s slower start.

However, industry analysts note this is still underwhelming compared to expectations. The Hindi version was anticipated to be the primary revenue driver—similar to “Pushpa 2,” “RRR,” and “KGF 2″—but hasn’t reached those heights yet. Had it performed at expected levels, “Kantara: Chapter 1” would be competing with India’s biggest blockbusters.

South Markets: Limited Growth Potential

Southern territories, already operating at high occupancy, had limited room for expansion:

• Karnataka: Operating near capacity, still achieved 10% growth
• Tamil Nadu & Kerala: Had more spare capacity, recorded better growth
• Andhra Pradesh: Minor decline as holiday period ended
• Nizam (Telangana): Managed some growth despite high base

These markets delivered on expectations, with the South performing exactly as predicted by trade analysts.

The Hindi Version Challenge

The only disappointment in an otherwise stellar performance is the Hindi dubbed version’s underwhelming reception. While improving from opening day, it hasn’t matched the explosive growth seen with other South Indian sequels’ Hindi versions.

This underperformance is surprising given:

• The original “Kantara” (2022) was a Hindi belt sensation
• Strong pre-release buzz and marketing
• Overwhelmingly positive reviews
• Limited competition during the extended weekend

Trade experts suggest the film’s deeper cultural and mythological roots may require more time to resonate with North Indian audiences compared to the action-heavy spectacles of previous South Indian blockbusters.

Record-Breaking Potential

With Sunday collections yet to come and advances significantly up, “Kantara: Chapter 1” is positioned to:

• Cross ₹255 crore by extended weekend
• Potentially break Karnataka’s four-day weekend record
• Achieve the highest opening weekend for a Kannada film
• Establish Rishab Shetty as a pan-Indian superstar

The film’s trajectory suggests strong weekday hold potential, especially if word-of-mouth continues spreading in the Hindi belt.

For more Indian cinema box office updates, visit Box Office India or our entertainment section.

What Made It Work?

Several factors contributed to this phenomenal performance:

Rishab Shetty’s Star Power

His transformative performance and dedication to the role have earned critical acclaim and audience adoration.

Cultural Authenticity

The film’s deep dive into Karnataka’s tribal traditions and mythology creates authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling.

Visual Spectacle

Breathtaking cinematography and VFX showcasing divine transformations justify the theatrical experience.

Sequel Anticipation

Fans of the 2022 original rushed to discover the backstory and mythology.

Extended Weekend Advantage

Strategic release timing maximizes collections during the holiday period.

What’s Next?

Industry watchers predict “Kantara: Chapter 1” will demonstrate strong legs through the week, potentially reaching ₹350-400 crore lifetime India collections if trends hold. The film’s ultimate success will depend on how well it sustains in the crucial second week, particularly in the Hindi markets where there’s still room for discovery.

FAQs