Kantara: Chapter 1 Trailer Crosses 80 Million Views Within A Day Of Release
The much-awaited trailer of Kantara: Chapter 1 dropped on Monday and has already stormed the internet, crossing over 80 million views across all languages on YouTube.
The thunderous response sets the stage for one of Indian cinema’s biggest releases of the year, as Rishab Shetty returns with his ambitious mythological action drama that serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara.
Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, the film travels back to pre-colonial coastal Karnataka during the reign of the Kadambas of Banavasi, delving deep into the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the ancestral conflicts that shaped the lore of the first film.
Shetty himself plays Berme, a fierce Naga Sadhu blessed with superhuman powers, alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles.
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The production, mounted on a massive scale by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films, features a grand war sequence choreographed by national and international experts, shot over 50 days with 500 trained fighters and nearly 3,000 cast members on a sprawling 25-acre set.
The film’s background score and soundtrack have been composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, continuing his successful collaboration from Kantara (2022).
While the trailer has ignited excitement, it has also stirred debates online over its portrayal of regional folklore and the appropriation of local traditions. Supporters hail Shetty’s vision of blending folklore, spirituality, and spectacle for a global audience, while critics argue about the commercialisation of deeply rooted rituals. The buzz, however, has only amplified curiosity about the film’s narrative.
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Kantara: Chapter 1 is set for a grand theatrical release on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Vijayadashami. It will release in Kannada along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English, in formats including IMAX, 4DX, and D-Box. Distribution is being handled by AA Films, Geetha Arts, and Phars Film across various regions, with digital rights already snapped up by Amazon Prime for ₹125 crore.
According to industry reports, Prithviraj Productions, which had successfully distributed Kantara (2022) in Kerala, was initially on board to handle the Malayalam release this time as well.
However, a reported tussle over revenue share and release money has led to speculation that the banner may withdraw, leaving uncertainty around who will ultimately bring the film to theatres in Kerala.
