The Kannada film Kantara became one of the biggest surprise hits of 2022. Released without much hype, it went on to earn over ₹400 crore worldwide and developed a cult following. The film not only impressed audiences in Karnataka but also received strong response in Telugu states. Kantara prequel is also in the making and going to release soon.
Following this massive success, the makers have created a prequel titled Kantara: Chapter 1. The film is written, directed and acted by Rishab Shetty himself. The story will explore events that took place before the first part. According to reports, the shooting has already been completed and the film is set to release worldwide on 1 October 2025.
The excitement surrounding the sequel is very high. Even before the trailer launch, fans have been discussing it widely on social media. This anticipation has shown clear impact in its pre-release business. Trade sources say that the Telugu rights of Kantara: Chapter 1 alone have been sold for an impressive ₹100 crore.
Breaking down the numbers, Nizam rights were sold for ₹40 crore, Andhra (coastal region) rights for ₹45 crore, and Ceded region rights for ₹15 crore. This is seen as a rare achievement, especially because the film is not an original Telugu production but a dubbed version. Usually, such massive deals are associated with big star hero films.
The news has surprised many film lovers online, with some calling it an unbelievable record for a dubbed film. The success of the first part seems to have created extraordinary expectations for the prequel.
In Kantara: Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty once again plays the lead role. Actress Rukmini Vasanth will be seen in a key role, while Gulshan Devaiah will appear in an important role. The film is produced by Hombale Films on a large budget, the same banner that backed the KGF series.
With sky-high expectations, trade experts are curious to see how the film performs at the box office. If the hype translates into collections, Kantara: Chapter 1 could set new benchmarks for dubbed films in the Telugu market.
