Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ Surpasses Salman Khan’s ‘Bharat’
Rishab Shetty’s film, “Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1,” has made a significant impact in the Indian cinema landscape. The film has recently been recognized as the highest-grossing film of 2025, accumulating an impressive ₹603.4 crore at the box office. This achievement marks it as the eighth biggest hit in the history of Indian cinema.
Record-Breaking Success
The Hindi version of “Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1” has played a critical role in its commercial success. In just 30 days, it generated ₹212.67 crore. This figure surpasses Salman Khan’s “Bharat,” which had a lifetime total of ₹212.03 crore.
Box Office Performance
- Total Worldwide Collection: ₹603.4 crore
- Hindi Version Collection in 30 Days: ₹212.67 crore
- Lowest Collection on Day 30: ₹1.12 crore
- Previous Record Holder: “Bharat” with ₹212.03 crore
Despite a slight decline in earnings on its 30th day, the film has showcased remarkable longevity. It is set to remain in theaters longer than the typical four-week window for South Indian films before transitioning to OTT platforms.
Reasons Behind the Success
This success can largely be attributed to changing viewing habits post-pandemic. Audiences have increasingly become more comfortable watching films in languages other than their own. The Hindi version will be available on streaming platforms only after an eight-week theatrical run.
Industry Impact
The early OTT release strategy for “Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1” has raised discussions within the industry. Films from South India usually transition to digital platforms within four weeks. “Kantara 2” was initially expected to surpass the ₹640 crore mark, but this forthcoming OTT release poses challenges to that expectation.
Cast and Crew
The film features a talented cast, including:
- Rishab Shetty
- Gulshan Devaiah
- Rukmini Vasanth
- Jayaram
“Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1” is not only a commercial triumph but also a cultural phenomenon, marking a new era for Indian cinema in terms of box office performance and audience engagement.
