Kantara Chapter 1 Tops Global Box Office, Surpasses Taylor Swift and DiCaprio Releases

Bengaluru | October 9, 2025 Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 has officially emerged as the world’s highest-grossing film this week, surpassing major international releases, including Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl and One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film’s extraordinary box office performance has made it not just a domestic triumph but a global sensation, marking another milestone for Indian cinema on the world stage. According to trade reports, Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed an impressive $50 million worldwide in its first week. In India alone, the film has grossed approximately ₹379 crore ($42 million) within seven days of release. Industry insiders predict that by the end of its first extended week, the film’s total domestic collection will surpass ₹400 crore ($45 million). Combined with its overseas earnings of around $8 million, Kantara Chapter 1 now stands at a phenomenal $53 million globally. This remarkable figure has placed the film ahead of Taylor Swift’s concert-themed movie, which collected $50 million during its limited weekend release tied to the launch of her latest album. Similarly, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another brought in $40 million in its second week, while the re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water trailed behind with under $10 million in the same period. The pan-India appeal of Kantara Chapter 1 has been one of its defining features. Originally made in Kannada, the film has struck a chord with audiences across linguistic boundaries. The Hindi version recently crossed ₹100 crore in net collections, followed closely by the Kannada version achieving the same milestone. The Telugu version has collected over ₹60 crore, while the Malayalam and Tamil dubs have each surpassed ₹20 crore in net earnings. Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, set nearly a thousand years before the events of the original film. Starring Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram alongside Shetty, the movie explores deep mythological and cultural roots with stunning visual storytelling and powerful performances. The film has received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences for its ambitious world-building, intense narrative, and musical score. Prominent filmmakers and actors across the Indian film industry, including Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, have hailed Kantara Chapter 1 as a “masterpiece unlike anything Indian cinema has seen before.” With its historic global success and cultural impact, Kantara Chapter 1 has not only raised the bar for regional cinema but also positioned Indian storytelling on the world map. Following this triumph, the makers have confirmed that Kantara Chapter 2 is already in development, promising to expand the mystical universe that has captivated millions. As Kantara Chapter 1 continues to dominate theatres worldwide, it reaffirms Rishab Shetty’s reputation as one of India’s most visionary filmmakers—transforming a regional saga into a worldwide cinematic phenomenon. Kantara Chapter 1 Rules the World Box Office Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 has stormed global box office charts, becoming the world’s highest-grossing film this week. With over $53 million in worldwide collections, it has surpassed Taylor Swift’s concert film and Leonardo DiCaprio’s One Battle After Another. The film’s strong run across India, with record-breaking numbers in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam versions, marks a new era for Indian cinema. Praised for its storytelling, scale, and performances, Kantara Chapter 1 proves that rooted stories can resonate universally. The cinematic journey continues, with Kantara Chapter 2 already in development.