Rishab Shetty, the man behind Kantara Chapter 1 — as writer, director, and lead actor — is living a full-circle moment, and he's not taking any of it for granted.
The Kannada film opened in cinemas on Thursday to an extraordinary response, crossing over 5,000 houseful shows across the country and collecting a staggering Rs 60 crore on day one.
For Rishab, who once struggled to get even a single screening for his debut film, the moment is deeply emotional.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he shared his gratitude with fans and reflected on the uphill journey. “From struggling to get one evening show in 2016 to 5000+ houseful shows in 2025. This journey is nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace. Forever grateful to every single person who made this possible. #KantaraChapter1,” he wrote.
The story behind that tweet is a humbling reminder of how far he's come. Nearly a decade ago, in 2016, Rishab had posted online: “After bowing down and requesting them by holding their feet and hands, I got one evening show in Big Cinemas in Mangaluru for my movie starting tomorrow. Interested people please watch.”
While he didn’t name the film, it’s widely believed to be Ricky, his directorial debut — a gritty crime drama starring Rakshit Shetty and Haripriya.
From pleading for screen time to now commanding massive nationwide attention, Rishab’s rise is as inspiring as it is hard-earned.
Fans have also taken notice. The film has received a tonne of praise on social media for its spiritual depth and cultural representation in addition to its stunning visuals and background music.
The reaction has been extraordinary. According to a trade tracking website, Kantara Chapter 1 recorded occupancy rates in Karnataka that most filmmakers can only dream of — morning shows filled 73.56%, afternoon soared to 96.14%, evening shows hit 90.78%, and night shows stayed strong at 92.04%.
Large crowds of people from temple towns and urban multiplexes demonstrated once more how the Kantara franchise appeals to something more profound than popular culture; it reflects lived heritage and faith.
The movie actually did better on its first day than a number of high-budget rivals, including Saiyaara (Rs 22 crore), Sikandar (Rs 26 crore), and Chhaava (Rs 31 crore), solidifying its position as one of the year's biggest Indian openers.
This sequel, which was produced by Hombale Films, the same dominant studio that produced KGF and the first Kantara, is more than just a box office success.
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