Kantara Chapter 1 tops 2025 box office with ₹813 crore worldwide

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its historic run at the global box office, setting new benchmarks for Indian cinema in 2025. The action-packed Kannada epic has now dethroned Chhaava, starring Vicky Kaushal and directed by Laxman Utekar, to emerge as the highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

Mounted on an estimated budget of ₹125 crore, Kantara: Chapter 1 has grossed a staggering ₹813 crore worldwide, reaffirming the growing power and reach of Kannada cinema on the national stage.

Strong box office hold in the fourth week.

Even in its fourth week, the film continues to attract large audiences. On its 26th day (Monday), Kantara 2 — as some fans are calling it informally — recorded an estimated ₹2.92 crore India net, taking its total domestic earnings to ₹592.52 crore.

While the numbers are slightly below those of Chhaava, which had collected ₹5.25 crore on its fourth Monday, Kantara: Chapter 1 is expected to overtake Chhaava’s lifetime domestic total of ₹601.54 crore within days.

Race to the ₹850 crore milestone

The big question now is whether Kantara: Chapter 1 can sustain momentum long enough to cross the ₹850 crore mark before its OTT debut. That milestone would also put it in striking distance of Stree 2 (₹857.15 crore), currently 2025’s highest-grossing Indian film worldwide.

Even if it falls slightly short of that figure, Rishab Shetty’s directorial triumph has already etched its name in Indian box office history.

Box Office Records Broken by Kantara: Chapter 1

1. 2025’s highest-grossing Indian film

Kantara: Chapter 1 has officially overtaken Chhaava, which earned ₹807.91 crore globally, to become the biggest Indian film of the year.

This also marks a major moment for the Kannada film industry, which has seen remarkable success since KGF: Chapter 2 in 2022.

2. Second-highest domestic collection of 2025

Domestically, Kantara 2 ranks second on the list of highest India net collections in 2025, trailing only Chhaava (₹601.54 crore). It has already surpassed other top earners like Saiyaara (₹329.72 crore).

3. Enters the ₹800 crore club

With a worldwide total of ₹813 crore, Kantara: Chapter 1 has joined the elite ₹800 crore club, becoming only the 14th Indian film ever to achieve this milestone.

It currently stands just below Stree 2 (₹857.15 crore) on the all-time list of top-grossing Indian films.

4. Third-highest single-day collection of 2025

At its peak, Kantara: Chapter 1 registered a massive ₹61.85 crore single-day haul — the third-highest of 2025, behind only Rajinikanth’s Coolie (₹65 crore) and Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG (₹63.75 crore).

Critical acclaim and audience reception

Apart from its box office dominance, Kantara: Chapter 1 has earned wide acclaim for its gripping storytelling, cultural authenticity, and Rishab Shetty’s powerful performance in a dual role. The film explores themes of tradition, faith, and the human connection to nature, resonating deeply with audiences across linguistic boundaries.

Fans and critics alike have praised Shetty’s meticulous direction and the immersive world-building that expands the Kantara mythology, first introduced in the 2022 cult hit.

Kannada cinema’s continuing rise

The phenomenal success of Kantara: Chapter 1 marks another high point for Kannada cinema, proving that regional-language films can lead the national box office with compelling narratives and universal appeal.

Following KGF and Kantara’s earlier success, this film reaffirms Rishab Shetty’s position as one of India’s most innovative storytellers.

As the film nears its OTT release, trade analysts predict that Kantara: Chapter 1 may finish its theatrical run between ₹830–₹850 crore worldwide, cementing its legacy as one of the biggest Indian films ever made.