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**Headline: “Kantara Chapter 1” Roars to Blockbuster Opening Weekend, Shattering Records**
**Bengaluru, India – December 12, 2024** – Rishab Shetty’s highly anticipated prequel, “Kantara Chapter 1,” has exploded onto the Indian box office scene, delivering a monumental opening weekend. The period action drama has captivated audiences, surpassing expectations and setting new benchmarks for Kannada cinema.
The film grossed a staggering ₹221.91 crore net domestically in its first three days. Collections steadily increased from ₹46 crore on Friday to ₹55 crore on Saturday, culminating in a robust ₹59.66 crore on Sunday, demonstrating exceptional word-of-mouth appeal.
“Kantara Chapter 1” has not only dominated the domestic market but has also garnered significant attention overseas, pulling in over $4 million in its first three days.
The film’s success is underscored by impressive theater occupancy rates, particularly in Karnataka, where the Kannada version saw near-capacity crowds for afternoon and evening shows on Sunday.
“Kantara Chapter 1” has already surpassed the total domestic collections of recent releases like “Sitaare Zameen Par,” “They Call Him OG,” and “Lokah Chapter 1.” Most notably, it has surpassed the domestic collection of “KGF Chapter 1,” solidifying its position as the third-highest-grossing Kannada film in India, trailing only “KGF Chapter 2” and the original “Kantara.”
Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, “Kantara Chapter 1” serves as a prequel to the 2022 hit. Set a thousand years prior to the events of the first film, it stars Shetty alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah. The film’s captivating storyline and stellar performances have resonated deeply with audiences, driving its phenomenal success.
First Piper 