🔥Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025) Review – Myth, Madness & Majesty Return with a Roar: Box Office Performance, Cast, Plot, OTT Release Date & Where to Watch

Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025) takes audiences back to the mystical roots of the Kantara universe with Rishab Shetty’s grand vision of myth and devotion. Released in theaters on October 2, 2025, the Kannada-language epic has set the box office on fire, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year. From divine legends to breathtaking performances, here’s a complete breakdown of the review, OTT release date, and box office journey of this cinematic triumph.

🌿 The Divine Legacy of Kantara Continues

Three years after Kantara (2022) redefined Indian folklore cinema, Rishab Shetty returns to the world that started it all — only this time, he takes us centuries back in time. Kantara: Chapter 1 serves as a prequel, peeling back the layers of the sacred ritual of Bhuta Kola and the divine-human conflict that shaped generations.

Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the story traces the legend of Berme — a divine warrior born of mystery, raised by faith, and destined to protect the sacred forest of Kantara. The film dives into themes of power, betrayal, faith, and the eternal struggle between man and nature.

As one haunting line from the film declares:

“The forest doesn’t belong to man. Man belongs to the forest.”

⚔️ Plot: Of Gods, Kings, and the Curse of Greed

In the age of the Kadamba dynasty, King Vijayendra of Bangra meets a violent end at the hands of divine guardians, Panjurli and Guliga, after attempting to seize the sacred spice garden of Kantara. His death sparks generations of fear, reverence, and vengeance.

Years later, Berme — a boy miraculously found in a sacred well — grows into a fearless young man (played by Rishab Shetty). His defiance of royal oppression and his devotion to the daivas turn him into both a savior and a threat to the powerful.

When Princess Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth) and Berme fall in love, destiny takes a dark turn. The royal family’s betrayal and Berme’s divine possession by Guliga lead to an apocalyptic confrontation where human ambition collides with divine wrath.

The climactic transformation of Berme into Ardhanarishvara—a form embodying both Shiva and Parvati—stands as one of the most visually and spiritually electrifying moments in Indian cinema.

🎭 Performances: Power, Poise, and Passion

• Rishab Shetty delivers a soul-stirring performance as Berme, effortlessly shifting between human vulnerability and divine fury.

• Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi brings elegance and emotional depth to her role, making her one of the most memorable female characters in the saga.

• Gulshan Devaiah as Prince Kulashekara embodies arrogance and insecurity with precision.

• Jayaram and Pramod Shetty lend weight to the royal and political aspects of the story, while the supporting cast breathes authenticity into every scene.

The film’s cinematography by Arvind S. Kashyap and background score by B. Ajaneesh Loknath elevate the experience to a mythic dimension — a symphony of drums, chants, and silence that feels alive.

🌌 Themes: Between the Sacred and the Savage

Kantara: Chapter 1 continues the franchise’s signature exploration of duality — faith vs. greed, divinity vs. humanity, and order vs. chaos. Shetty doesn’t just tell a story; he builds a spiritual experience.

Through vivid metaphors, ancient rituals, and explosive battle sequences, the film becomes both an epic and a prayer — reminding audiences that nature’s blessings come with the burden of balance.

💥 Box Office: A Divine Explosion

The film opened with thunderous numbers, rewriting box office records across languages.

Day 1 (Oct 2, 2025):

• ₹85–90 crore worldwide gross

• ₹72 crore from India alone

• ₹20 crore from the Hindi version

Day 2:

• Crossed ₹100 crore milestone in just 48 hours

• Total gross: ₹151 crore

Day 3:

• Netted ₹162+ crore, with massive weekend occupancies

Day 4 (Oct 5, 2025):

• Worldwide Gross: ₹325 crore

• India Gross: ₹268 crore

• Net Collection: ₹223.25 crore

• Budget: ₹125 crore

✅ Key Achievements:

• Fourth-highest-grossing Kannada film ever

• Second-highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025 (after Mahavatar Narsimha)

• Third all-time highest-grossing Kannada film in India, behind K.G.F: Chapter 2 and Kantara (2022)

• Record-breaking IMAX and 4DX openings for a Kannada-language film

Despite competition from Hindi and Telugu releases, Kantara: Chapter 1 emerged as a pan-India success, proving again that rooted storytelling resonates beyond borders.

📺 OTT Release Date: When & Where to Watch

The digital streaming rights were acquired by Amazon Prime Video for a staggering ₹125 crore — even before its theatrical release.

While the official streaming date is expected to be announced soon, sources suggest that Kantara: Chapter 1 will likely premiere on Amazon Prime Video in December 2025, following its 8–to 10–week theatrical run.

🪔 Review Verdict: 4.5/5 – A Mythic Masterpiece

Kantara: Chapter 1 is not just a film; it’s a cultural pulse, a reminder that divine tales are born from the soil we walk on. Rishab Shetty crafts a visual prayer — blending folklore, fire, and faith into something breathtakingly timeless.

“The gods do not bless the ungrateful — they awaken them.”

With its stunning world-building, commanding performances, and spiritual gravitas, Kantara: Chapter 1 stands as a monumental achievement in Indian cinema, both as art and as a form of devotion.

⭐ Ratings:

• Story & Direction: ★★★★★

• Visuals & Music: ★★★★★

• Performances: ★★★★☆

• Overall Experience: ★★★★½

📅 OTT Release: Amazon Prime Video (Expected December 2025)

🎟️ Box Office (as of Oct 5, 2025): ₹325 Crore Worldwide

🎬 Verdict: A divine prequel worthy of legend.

🌿 Final Thoughts

The forest speaks again, and this time, its voice echoes across centuries. Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 reminds us why stories rooted in soil often rise to the stars.