Vivek Oberoi congratulates Kantara: Chapter 1 team as film enters Oscars Best Picture race: 'The roar of our ancestors echoing on the world's stage'

Vivek Oberoi praises Kantara Chapter 1

• Four Indian films qualify for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards
• Kantara Chapter 1 earns Rs 813 crore, second-highest Indian film of 2025
• Vivek Oberoi congratulates Kantara team for global recognition

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The 98th Academy Awards have recently considered 317 feature films. This includes 201 films that are eligible for the Best Picture category.

The list includes four Indian films: the animated epic Mahavatar Narasimha, Anupam Kher's Tanvi The Great, M. Sasikumar's Tourist Family, and Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1.

Following the milestone moment, Vivek Oberoi congratulated the crew of Kantara Chapter 1. The actor took to his X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “What was once a sacred ritual, guarded by the ancient spirits of Tulunad, has now erupted into a global inferno. Bhuta Kola has transcended borders, shattering the silence to become a worldwide phenomenon.”

What was once a sacred ritual, guarded by the ancient spirits of Tulunad, has now erupted into a global inferno. Bhuta Kola has transcended borders, shattering the silence to become a worldwide phenomenon. Massive congratulations, my brother @shetty_rishab on qualifying for the… https://t.co/s17gsphCME

— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) January 10, 2026

The actor added, “Massive congratulations, my brother @shetty_rishab on qualifying for the Best Picture race at the 98th Academy Awards! This isn’t just a nomination; it is the roar of our ancestors echoing on the world's most prestigious stage. You have carried the raw, beating heart of Bharat into the global spotlight. The soil of our land now claims its place in cinematic history. Oscars ni intiki teeskostunnam!”

After surpassing Chhaava's Rs 807 crore, Kantara Chapter 1 is now the second-highest-grossing Indian movie of 2025. In the first 25 days of release, it made Rs 813 crore worldwide.

Also Read: The Raja Saab Box Office Collection Day 2: Prabhas' fantasy thriller nears Rs 100 Cr net in India

It is a prelude to Rishab's popular 2022 film Kantara, which made the Tulu custom of Daiva Kola/Bhuta Kola known to the globe. The movie, which is set in pre-colonial India, centres on Berme (Rishab), a tribal man who battles the local nobility for the honour of his people. The main parts were also played by Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, and Rukmini Vasanth. It was produced by Hombale Films.