}}
}}
== Marketing ==
== Marketing ==
The film’s first look teaser was released on 27 November 2023.
== Release ==
== Release ==
2025 Indian film by Rishab Shetty
Kantara: Chapter 1 is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language period mythological[5] action drama film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films. A prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, the story delves deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film.[6][7]
Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the mythological lore and history explored in the first film released in 2022. Like its predecessor, the prequel would reportedly blend regional folklore, spirituality, and action, continuing the saga of man’s relationship with nature and the divine.[8][9]
Filming began in November 2023. The first look and teaser was released on 27 November 2023. Rishab Shetty plays the role of a Naga Sadhu with superhuman powers.[10][11] The publicity poster was designed by Kaani Studio.[12][13] B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed the soundtrack and background score. The film will be released on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, in standard, IMAX and EPIQ formats.
Premise
Exploring the origins of Kaadubettu Shiva’s ancestors during the Kadamba dynasty, it delves into the untamed wilderness and forgotten lore surrounding his past.
Cast
Production
Development
Following the success of Kantara (2022), in February 2023, Rishab Shetty confirmed that a prequel will be made and what was actually shown was the second part.[14] It was reported that in Mangalore, Shetty had sought the permission of god Panjurli to film a prequel.[15][16] The scripting work was completed in around 8 months, where Shetty collaborated with Shaneel Gautham and Anirudh Mahesh.[17]
The film throws light on the origin of Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva.[18] The film’s story is set in pre-colonial Karnataka, during the reign of Kadambas from Banavasi.[19][20] Later, Shetty also revealed that basic theme of the film is same as previous part, and focuses on the conflict between the tribals of Kantara forest and a tyrannical king.[21][22]
Filming
The film was produced by Vijay Kiragandur through Hombale Films.[23] In April 2024, major portion was filmed in Shetty’s own village in Kundapura. A massive set was created by more than 600 carpenters for the same.[24][25] Shetty learned horse riding, Kalaripayattu and sword fighting for his role.[26][27]
In February 2025, a grand war sequence was filmed which was choreographed by national and international experts. The sequence included over 500 skilled fighters and a total cast of nearly 3,000 people. It was shot on a 25-acre set in Karnataka’s mountains, and the sequence took nearly 50 days to film completely.[28][29] In May 2025, the film’s last schedule was filmed 20 kilometers away from Kundapur.[30]
The shooting was finished on 7 July 2025.[31][32][33]
Music
The film’s soundtrack album and background score was composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, who had composed for the prequel, Kantara.
The first single titled “Brahmakalasha” was released on 28 September 2025. The second single titled “Rebel Song” was released on 1 October 2025.
| Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Brahmakalasha” | Shashiraj Kavoor | Abby V | 5:44 |
| 2. | “Rebel Song” | Thrilok Vikram | Mime Ramdass | 3:58 |
Marketing
The film’s first look teaser was released on 27 November 2023.
Release
Theatrical
Kantara: Chapter 1 was released in theatres worldwide on 2 October 2025 in standard and IMAX and EPIQ formats, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Vijayadashami.[34][35] Apart from the original Kannada language it was also released in dubbed versions of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English.[36]
Distribution
The producers Hombale Films will distribute the film in Karnataka.[37] In Kerala, actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran’s company Prithviraj Productions acquired the theatrical rights, continuing their collaboration from Kantara (2022).[38] In North India, AA Films handled the distribution[39], while in the Telugu-speaking states, Mythri Movie Makers, Geetha Arts, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram, Vigneshwara Entertainments, SV Cinemas and KSN Telefilms handled the distribution.[40] In Tamil Nadu, the distribution was handled by Think Studios, M. Movies, Fivestar K. Senthil and S Picture.[41] For overseas markets, distribution was managed by Phars Films.[42] In North America, distribution was handled by Prathyangira Cinemas.[43]
Home media
The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime for ₹125 crore.[44][45]
References
- ^ “Search Film: Kantara A Legend Chapter 1”. Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ Seta, Fenil. “EXCLUSIVE: CBFC censors obscene hand gesture in Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ “‘Kantara 2’: Has Rishab Shetty increased the budget for the prequel by over Rs 100 crore? Here’s what we know…” The Times of India.
- ^ “‘Kantara 2’ to be made on a whopping budget; here are the full details”. The Hans India. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1: Jr NTR To Grace Mega Pre-Release Event Of Rishab Shetty’s Mythological Epic On THIS Date”. Times Now. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ “Kantara, KGF 2 win National Film Awards 2024; Chaluve Gowda of Hombale Films reveals how it happened: ‘Wanted to take Kannada cinema to…’“. 16 August 2024.
- ^ Padmashree Bhat (6 February 2023). “Rishab Shetty: ನೀವು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇ ‘ಕಾಂತಾರ 2’, ‘ಕಾಂತಾರ-1’ ಈಗ ರೆಡಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು; ರಿಷಬ್ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ಅಧಿಕೃತ ಘೋಷಣೆ”. Vijaya Karnataka. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ “Mohanlal to play Rishab Shetty’s father in Kantara Chapter 1: Report”. India Today. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (3 May 2025). “Chaluve Gowda reveals Hombale Films’ Oscar strategy for Kantara Chapter 1 at WAVES 2025 1 : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama”. Bollywood Hungama.
- ^ “The wait is finally over! Here’s when Kantara: Chapter 1 first look will be unveiled”. ETV Bharat News. 25 November 2025. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ “Kantara 2 Teaser: Rishab Shetty Is Covered in Blood and Has Fire In His Eyes in First Look, Watch”. News18. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- ^ Yashika Mathur (7 July 2023). “Rishab Shetty shares update on Kantara 2: ‘We will start shooting…”. The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ “Rishab Shetty announces ‘Kantara 2’ launch in 2024; Says it will be a ‘Prequel’“. The Economic Times. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
- ^ “Rishab Shetty confirms Kantara 2 will be a prequel: ‘What you have seen is actually Part 2, Part 1 will come next year’“. The Indian Express. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ “Rishab Shetty seeks divine consent for Kantara 2, gets it”. Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
- ^ “Kantara 2 confirmed! Rishab Shetty gets local God’s consent for Kantara sequel. Read here”. The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ “Su From So’s Shaneel Gautham on the writing process of Kantara Chapter 1: ‘There were a lot of re-writes…’“. OTTPlay. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ “Kantara: Chapter 1 to narrate the history of Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva divinities”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
- ^ “8 Things You Need To Know About Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 Ahead Of Its Trailer”. Times Now. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ “What’s the story of Kantara Chapter 1 and how does Rishab Shetty’s prequel connect to the first part?”. Pinkvilla. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1 teaser out: Rishab Shetty’s prequel to be set in 300 CE?”, Hindustan Times, 27 November 2023, archived from the original on 28 November 2023, retrieved 28 November 2023
- ^ “Rishab Shetty: The basic theme of Kantara Chapter 1 is the same as Kantara, but…”. OTTPlay. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood. “Vijay Kiragandur unveils exciting updates on Kantara 2 and KGF: “We’ve completed about 30 per cent of the filming” : Bollywood News – Bollywood Hungama”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ “Kantara 2: Rishab Shetty Says A Huge Set Has Been Put Up In His Village, Team To Shoot There In April”. News18. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ “Kantara: Chapter 1 gears up for 20-day schedule, team heads to Kundapura; shoot deets inside”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ “Rishab Shetty prepares for Kantara Chapter 1 with intense Kalaripayattu training, shares photo”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ “‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ release date confirmed: When will Rishabh Shetty’s much-awaited prequel hit the theatres”. The Economic Times. 2 April 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1: Hombale Films hire over 500 skilled fighters for a never-seen-before war sequence in Rishab Shetty starrer”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ^ “Kantara 2: Rishab Shetty To Shoot For The Biggest War Sequence In Karnataka For 50 Days”. News18. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ^ “Kantara – Chapter 1 shooting update: Final schedule of Rishab Shetty starrer begins ahead of October 2 release”. Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (8 July 2025). “‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ wraps filming, all set for a grand release on Oct 2″. The Hans India. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ “‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ poster unveiled on Rishab Shetty’s birthday; Shoot wrapped, release announced”. The Times of India. 7 July 2025. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1 First Look Poster: Rishab Shetty’s Fierce, Warrior-Like Avatar Leaves Fans Awestruck”. News18. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1 teaser: Rishab Shetty is fierce and mighty in film’s first look”. India Today. 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ “Kantara Chapter 1 release date: Rishab Shetty’s prequel will be out next year on Gandhi Jayanti”. Hindustan Times. 17 November 2024. Archived from the original on 17 November 2024. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Prajwal B (18 September 2025). “Kantara: ಕೆಜಿಎಫ್ 2 ಬಳಿಕ IMAX ಸ್ಕ್ರೀನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಂತಾರ 1! ದೊಡ್ಡ ಪರದೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಬ್ಬರಿಸಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ ರಿಷಬ್ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ!”. News 18 (in Kannada). Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ “Kantara: Chapter 1 makers lock India and overseas distribution partners; all set for October 2 grand release”. OTTplay. 6 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ “കാന്താര ചാപ്റ്റര്1 കേരളത്തിലെ വിതരണം പൃഥ്വിരാജ് പ്രൊഡക്ഷന്സിന്, ചിത്രം ഒക്ടോബര് 2ന് തീയേറ്ററില്”. Mathrubhumi News (in Malayalam). 6 September 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ “AA Films to distribute Kantara: Chapter 1 in North India”. The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ “Kantara: Chapter 1 locks massive Telugu release rights as global release plans unfold”. Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ^ Hombale Films [@hombalefilms] (16 September 2025). “Delighted to announce our collaboration with the Tamizh distributors to bring the epic saga of #KantaraChapter1 to audiences across 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥 𝐍𝐚𝐝𝐮 🔥 Witness the divine origin of a LEGEND this 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝐧𝐝” (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ Hombale Films [@hombalefilms] (6 September 2025). “The divine saga spreads its roar beyond borders… ✨🔥 #KantaraChapter1 hits cinemas worldwide from 𝐎𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝐧𝐝, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬 release by @PharsFilm” (Tweet). Retrieved 6 September 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ “US distributor lits up Kantara Chapter 1 premiere hype”. Cinema Express. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ “Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1 OTT Release: Where And When To Watch Rishab Shetty’s Film”. IndiaTimes. 21 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (21 March 2024). “Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 secures digital rights for a whopping price”. Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
