Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has been smashing box office records since its release, proving once again that the actor-director knows exactly what connects deeply with audiences. Released during the Dussehra weekend, the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara has been unstoppable. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film grossed around Rs 60 crore on its opening day, with advance bookings alone contributing nearly Rs 20 crore, a phenomenal start for any regional release. Until now, the film has collected Rs 232 crore at the box office.
How much did Rishab Shetty charge for Kantara and Kantara Chapter 1?
What sets this release apart is Rishab Shetty’s unique approach to his pay. As per Siasat.com, the actor has chosen not to take a fixed salary for Kantara: Chapter 1. Instead, he will earn based entirely on the film’s box office performance. This means the bigger the film’s success, the bigger his paycheck will be. Further, Rishab has reportedly invested his own money into the project, which has a massive budget of Rs 125 crore.
For comparison, during the first Kantara in 2022, Rishab who also wrote, directed, and starred in the film was paid about Rs 4 crore. The original went on to become one of Indian cinema’s most unexpected blockbusters.
Kantara Chapter 1 supporting cast salaries revealed
While Rishab’s pay structure is performance-based, the rest of the cast has reportedly earned impressive salaries. According to Asian News, actors like Rukmini Vasanth, Sapthami Gowda, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram have each charged around Rs 1 crore for their roles in Kantara: Chapter 1.
Rukmini, in particular, has been in the spotlight for her strong screen presence, while Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram add depth to the period drama with their powerful performances.
About Kantara: Chapter 1
Kantara: Chapter 1 takes audiences back to the Kadamba period in Karnataka, bringing an origin story filled with myth, mysticism, and action. According to the official synopsis, “Rishab Shetty transforms into a fierce Naga Sadhu, a warrior-mystic destined to become the bridge between mortals and the divine. Ancient rituals, supernatural forces, and tribal struggles collide in a cinematic spectacle like no other, this isn’t just a prequel, it’s the origin of a myth.”
The film is directed and written by Rishab Shetty, who also stars in the lead role. The cast includes Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, PD Satish Chandra, and Prakash Thuminad.
Kantara: Chapter 1 released in multiple languages including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English.
The movie’s CBFC certification included a couple of minor edits. Makers were asked to remove an obscene hand gesture around the 45-minute mark. During sequences showing drug use at the 52- and 53-minute marks, a ticker was added, “Consumption and trafficking of Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is Prohibited in Law and Punishable with Rigorous Imprisonment and Fine.”
As the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, this film dives deeper into the mythological and cultural roots that made the original such a hit, which is a mix of intense action, supernatural elements, and tribal drama for audiences across India and beyond.
Kantara Chapter 1 smashes box office records
With stunning visuals, engaging storytelling, and a huge response from audiences, Kantara: Chapter 1 isn’t just breaking records, it’s showing how regional films can compete with big Bollywood releases. The film has already beaten movies like Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava and Saiyaara in opening day collections.