Goosebumps guaranteed. Kantara: Chapter 1 trailer has arrived—watch now. 🎬🔥
Kantara: Chapter 1 Trailer Out; Rishab Shetty’s Epic Prequel Hits Theatres on Oct 2 in IMAX/4DX. at 12:45 PM IST, with the film slated for a grand theatrical release on 2 October 2025 across IMAX, 4DX, and D-Box formats in multiple languages. The prequel, led by Rishab Shetty and featuring Gulshan Devaiah, dives deeper into coastal Karnataka’s folklore and Bhuta Kola traditions under Hombale Films.
Trailer release
The makers announced the trailer launch for 22 September 2025 at 12:45 PM IST. The official trailer has been unveiled by Hombale Films, showcasing scale, lore, and a sweeping score to set the prequel’s tone.
Film details
Kantara: Chapter 1 is a mythological action drama prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, written and directed by Rishab Shetty and produced by Vijay Kiragandur at Hombale Films. The story explores Bhuta Kola, ancestral guardianship, and man–nature conflicts in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, expanding the original’s world-building.
Cast and characters
Rishab Shetty headlines as a Naga Sadhu–like figure, with Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara among key roles. The ensemble also features Jayaram, with credits underscoring the film’s period canvas and character-driven mythos.
Production scale
A massive war sequence with 500+ fighters and a total cast near 3,000 was filmed over ~50 days on a 25-acre Karnataka mountain set, signaling cinematic ambition. Principal photography concluded on 7 July 2025, moving the project into final post ahead of its October slot.
Music and craft
B. Ajaneesh Loknath returns to compose the soundtrack and background score, promising continuity with the first film’s sonic identity. Cinematography is by Arvind S. Kashyap, with production design by Banglan and costumes by Pragathi Shetty, as revealed in the trailer credits.
Release plan
The film hits theatres on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra, with a premium rollout in IMAX, 4DX, and D-Box. Dubbed versions include Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English to maximize pan-India and overseas reach.
Where to watch the trailer
The official trailer is published by Hombale Films, featuring Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah front-and-center with expansive visuals.
.Kantara: Chapter 1 Trailer Out; Rishab Shetty’s Epic Prequel Hits Theatres on Oct 2 in IMAX/4DX.
Hype and reactions
Reports highlight significant fan anticipation, with social chatter praising folklore, staging, and Shetty’s performance in early trailer reactions. The positioning as a festival release with premium formats has further fueled buzz across regional and national circuits.
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