Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 Hits Theatres Today

The much-awaited Kannada film Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, released in cinemas worldwide today, October 2, 2025.

The big-budget prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara opened on Gandhi Jayanti and Vijayadashami, hitting screens in multiple formats including IMAX, 4DX, ICE, D-Box, Dolby Cinema, and EPIQ.

Made on an estimated budget of ₹125 crore, the period action drama is produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films.

The film is being described as one of the most ambitious Kannada-language projects ever made. Alongside Shetty, the cast includes Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and veteran actor Jayaram.

Unlike the original Kantara, which was set in a more recent past, Chapter 1 takes audiences back to pre-colonial coastal Karnataka. It delves into the mythological roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the origins of Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva.

Rishab Shetty plays Berme, a Naga Sadhu with superhuman powers, while the story unfolds during the Kadamba dynasty, exploring the conflict between tribal communities of Kantara’s forests and a tyrannical king.

Filming began in November 2023 and wrapped in July 2025, with major portions shot in Shetty’s hometown, Kundapura and the forests of Sakleshpur.

A massive war sequence involving over 500 trained fighters and nearly 3,000 participants was filmed across a 25-acre set in the Karnataka mountains, taking nearly 50 days to complete.

To prepare for his role, Shetty trained extensively in horse riding, Kalaripayattu, and sword fighting. The production also overcame challenges, including a crew bus accident in November 2024 and a fine for environmental violations during the Sakleshpur schedule.

The music is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, who also scored the 2022 film. The soundtrack features songs like Brahmakalasha and Rebel Song, the latter also recorded in Hindi by Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh.

Marketing for Kantara: Chapter 1 included multiple teaser and trailer launches, with high-profile pre-release events in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Actor N. T. Rama Rao Jr. attended as the chief guest in Hyderabad, adding star power to the promotions.

The film has been released not only in Kannada but also in dubbed versions across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, English, and even Spanish—marking the first time a Kannada film has been dubbed into Spanish.

Amazon Prime Video has acquired the digital streaming rights for ₹125 crore, ensuring the film will reach a wide global audience after its theatrical run.