Bengaluru, Oct 2 (UNI) Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited film Kantara Chapter 1 has created a strong buzz ahead of release, recording the sixth highest pre-sales of 2025 with collections touching ₹19.44 crore.
The film, a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, witnessed a 49 per cent surge in advance bookings in the last 24 hours before release, with nearly 74,600 tickets sold nationwide.
According to trade analysts, the Kannada version dominated pre-sales, contributing nearly ₹9.9 crore, followed by Hindi and Telugu.
The film also drew traction from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, underscoring Shetty’s growing pan-India appeal. Karnataka, however, remained the strongest market, powered by the actor-director’s dedicated fan base and the cultural connect the story promises.
With its ₹19.44 crore advance booking, Kantara Chapter 1 has surpassed several high-profile films this year, including Good Bad Ugly, Vidaamuyarchi, and L2: Empuraan.
It now ranks sixth in 2025 behind OG (₹65 crore), Coolie (₹37.3 crore), Hari Hari Veera Mallu (₹35 crore), Game Changer (₹31.8 crore) and War 2 (₹21 crore).
Trade experts said the strong pre-release momentum indicates a potentially significant Day 1 opening. With the first instalment having emerged as a surprise blockbuster, expectations are high that Kantara Chapter 1 will further boost Kannada cinema’s presence on the national stage.
