Kantara Chapter 1 Review, Buzz And Box Office Clash

Bengaluru, October 2: The theatres lit up this morning with chants of “Jai Hanuman” as Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 finally opened. Crowds poured in from early shows, many walking out calling the climax “unforgettable,” while others looked less convinced. For every fan hailing Shetty as a master storyteller, voices were grumbling that the film leans too heavily on spectacle and mysticism.

Whatever the debate, one thing is clear: the sequel to 2022’s cult hit has landed like a storm, and the industry is watching closely.

Fans Sweep Social Media With Praise

On Twitter, praise came fast and loud. Clips, goosebump emojis, even bold declarations that Shetty is staring down another National Award. Viewers spoke of a second half that “explodes on screen,” with the cinematography and background score singled out for driving the film’s intensity.

But not all were swept away. The first half, some argued, drags on. “Too stretched,” one comment read. Another admitted to almost dozing off before the interval, only to be jolted awake by what followed.

It’s a split reaction, but the kind that often keeps a film alive in conversation. Shetty thrives in that space.

Big Numbers Even Before The First Show

The numbers, though, are the real story for now. According to The Indian Express, bookings across languages had already crossed ₹16.62 crore (₹26.71 crore with block seats) before the film hit screens. That kind of pull is rare for a Kannada-language release and speaks to the pan-India brand Shetty has built since Kantara (2022).

Yet, the film isn’t walking into a clean field. Pawan Kalyan’s They Call Him OG, fresh off a thunderous opening week that netted over ₹160 crore, is still riding high. Two giants now sit in the same week’s lineup, and that overlap could make or break early numbers for Kantara Chapter 1.

A Bumpy Release In Some Cities

For all the fanfare, there was confusion too. In Chennai and a few other cities, premiere shows were suddenly cancelled. Fans who had pre-booked woke up to refund notifications, without much explanation. Officially, the makers cited “logistical and safety reasons.” Unofficially, whispers range from distribution hiccups to sheer crowd control.

The disappointment was real, especially since premiere nights have become cultural events of their own. But judging by the packed houses elsewhere, the cancellations don’t seem to have slowed the juggernaut.

More Than Just A Movie For Kannada Cinema

There’s more at stake here than just weekend numbers. Kantara Chapter 1 is being seen as a test of how far Kannada cinema’s reach can stretch after the wave created by KGF and the first Kantara. Rishab Shetty himself is leaning into this role.

At a recent Hyderabad event, he promised to switch to speaking Telugu on stage going forward, a symbolic gesture that earned him cheers. It was a clear message: this isn’t just a Kannada release, but a South Indian offering designed to cross linguistic lines.

Brilliance Or Hype?

Critics are torn, and they aren’t hiding it. Some early reviews call the film “a cinematic marvel, every frame purposeful.” Others dismiss it as “all hype, weak on content.”

This divide isn’t surprising. The first Kantara became a hit almost accidentally, riding on word of mouth rather than pre-release frenzy. Chapter 1 has entered theatres weighed down with expectations and marketing muscle. That kind of pressure usually widens fault lines.

A Bigger Trend In Indian Storytelling

The release also fits into a larger wave in Indian cinema the obsession with mythological and folklore-driven epics. Hindi cinema has fumbled with this formula (Adipurush, Brahmāstra), while regional industries have found ways to ground fantasy in lived culture.

If Shetty can keep the Kantara universe alive with authenticity, it strengthens South Indian cinema’s grip on the national stage. If not, it could be a warning sign about how fragile sequels are when they try to turn a one-off phenomenon into a franchise.

What Next?

The real test starts tonight, when the first-day box office figures roll in. Trade trackers say anything above ₹50 crore by Monday would lock in a successful run. Less than that, and the shadow of They Call Him OG could loom large.

For now, though, Rishab Shetty has done what few Kannada filmmakers have managed: make the country talk about a Kannada release as if it were a Hindi or Telugu blockbuster. Fans are screaming, theatres are full, and debates are fierce.

Whether Kantara Chapter 1 soars or stumbles, it has already cemented Shetty’s place as more than just an actor-director; he’s become a symbol of Kannada cinema’s ambition.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – Ayesha@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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