Kantara: Chapter 1
| Kantara: Chapter 1 | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Rishab Shetty |
| Written by | Rishab Shetty |
| Produced by | Vijay Kiragandur Chaluve Gowda |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Arvind S. Kashyap |
| Music by | B. Ajaneesh Loknath |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
| Budget | ₹125 crore[1] |
Kantara: Chapter 1 is an upcoming Indian Kannada-language mythological action thriller film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. A prequel to the 2022 film Kantara: Chapter 2, the story delves deeper into the origins of the divine tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film.[2][3]
Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the mythological lore surrounding divine land guardianship. Like its predecessor, it blends regional folklore, spirituality, and action, continuing the saga of man's relationship with nature and the divine.[4] set during the reign of Kadambas of Banavasi[5][6]
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.[7][8] The publicity poster was designed by Kaani Studio.[9][10] B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed the soundtrack and background score. The film will be released on 2 October 2025.
Cast
[edit]- Rishab Shetty as Shiva and Kantara
- Jayaram
- Rakesh Poojari
Production
[edit]The film was produced by Vijay Kiragandur through Hombale Films.[11] Shetty learned horse riding, Kalaripayattu and sword fighting for the role.[12]
The film features a grand war sequence choreographed by national and international experts. The sequence includes over 500 skilled fighters and a total cast of nearly 3,000. Shot on a 25-acre set in Karnataka's mountains, the war sequence took nearly 50 days to film.[12]
The shooting was finished on 7 July 2025.[13][14][15]
Soundtrack
[edit]The film's soundtrack album and background score were composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, who had composed for the prequel, Kantara.[citation needed]
Release
[edit]Theatrical
[edit]Kantara: Chapter 1 is scheduled for a theatrical release on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.[16][17]The film will also release the dubbed versions including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam.
Home media
[edit]The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime.[18][19]
References
[edit]- ^ "Kantara 2: Did Rishab Shetty hike the budget to 681 percent after first part?". Pinkvilla. 24 August 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hungama, Bollywood (10 October 2024). "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.
- ^ a b "'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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
