Rishab Shetty Thanks God, Fans For Kantara Chapter 1's Housefull Opening, Recalls Struggle To Get 1 Evening Show In 2016

Rishab

Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 has opened to an extraordinary response, creating history at the box office with over 5000 housefull shows worldwide on release day. From his humble beginnings in 2016, struggling to get a single evening show for his debut Ricky, to now commanding a record-breaking mythological epic, Rishab’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational. The actor-filmmaker expressed his gratitude to God and fans for making this possible.

Rishab Shetty recalls his difficult journey

Taking to X, Shetty posted: "From struggling to get one evening show in 2016 to 5000+ housefull 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 quoted his 2016 Kannada post, in which he had written, “After bowing down, requesting them by holding their feet and hands, I got one show in the city for my movie in big cinemas. Interested people please watch.” The post was about his directorial debut Ricky, which faced immense challenges in securing screenings.Take a look:

Now, with Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, the filmmaker has turned the tables completely.

More about Kantara Chapter 1

Kantara Chapter 1 is set in 300 CE during the Kadamba dynasty and serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. It explores the roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual while delving into tribal conflicts, mythology, and spirituality. Rishab Shetty plays Berme, a Naga Sadhu and warrior who stands at the core of the story. The film also stars Jayaram as King Vijayendra, Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi, and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara.According to early box office reports, Kantara Chapter 1 earned a staggering Rs 60 crore on its opening day. With a powerful narrative, spiritual depth, and Rishab’s commanding screen presence, the film has set the tone for another landmark franchise in Indian cinema.