Following the immense success of "Kantara: Chapter 1," actor and director Rishab Shetty visited the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai on Friday, October 10, 2025, to seek blessings. The film, a prequel to the 2022 Kannada hit "Kantara," has taken the box office by storm, surpassing expectations and achieving record-breaking collections.
Shetty, dressed in a traditional veshti and a white shirt, was seen barefoot while posing for the paparazzi amid tight security. He also interacted with local authorities before entering the temple. His visit comes as "Kantara: Chapter 1" continues its phenomenal run in theaters worldwide.
Since its release on October 2, the mythological action drama has garnered immense praise from critics and audiences alike for its world-building, visual scale, and rooted storytelling. Set against the backdrop of the 4th Century AD, the film delves into the origins of the mystical land of Kantara, exploring its rich mythology, age-old conflicts, and divine interventions. The prequel explores the origin of Panjurli Daiva and Guliga Daiva. The film's story is set in pre-colonial Karnataka, during the reign of Kadambas from Banavasi. The plot revolves around the conflict between the tribals of Kantara forest and a tyrannical king.
"Kantara: Chapter 1" has already crossed the ₹300 crore mark in India within its first week. The Hindi version of the film has significantly contributed to the collection, earning ₹108 crore, despite competition from other Bollywood releases. The film has grossed ₹475 crore worldwide in its first week, becoming the highest-grossing film globally for the week, outperforming major Hollywood releases. Within eight days, the film has earned ₹335 crore net in India. It has surpassed its predecessor "Kantara" to become the second-highest-grossing Kannada film worldwide, only behind "KGF Chapter 2". The film was reportedly made on a budget of ₹125 crore.
The movie stars Rishab Shetty, along with Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah. Rishab Shetty plays Berme, a fierce warrior, while Jayaram plays a king from the ancient kingdom of Bangra.
Rishab Shetty has confirmed that a third installment, "Kantara Chapter 2," is already in development, given the overwhelming response to "Kantara: Chapter 1".
Earlier in the week, Rishab Shetty, along with his wife Pragathi Shetty, and co-star Rukmini Vasanth, met with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and hosted a special screening of "Kantara: Chapter 1". On Thursday evening, Shetty hosted a special screening in Mumbai, which was attended by Suniel Shetty and Gulshan Devaiah.
The makers of the film have also issued a statement addressing concerns about certain individuals imitating Daiva characters from the movie and engaging in inappropriate behavior in public. They emphasized the importance of honoring the profound respect and unwavering devotion central to Dhaivaradhane and preserving the significance and heritage of the Tulu soil.
