Kantara is a 2022 Kannada action-drama that reestablished its dominance in the regional cinematic landscape with its crudely powerful and culturally rich aspects. This film is directed and starred by Rishab Shetty, who incorporates folklore, Kambala buffalo racing and Bhoota Kola rituals in a thrilling story. It was released on September 30, 2022, and became a pan-India sensation with a gross of more than 450 crores across the globe. All details are available to fans who are looking to know the cast of Kantara, Kantara actors, Kantara movie actress name, Kantara actor, or Kantara movie cast. In the sequence of leads to character parts, it is high time to find out who the talented crowd behind this cultural phenomenon is.
About the Kantara Movie
Kantara was set in shady India in coastal Karnataka and is set on the traditions of the Bhuta Kola cult of Panjurli Daiva. Rishab Shetty wrote, produced, and directed the project under Hombale Films. The music of the film composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, particularly Varaha Roopam, became viral. The team filmed the movie at real locations and showcased actual Kambala races and rituals. It was initially in Kannada, with dubs in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, and this helped in its popularity across the country. In 2025, a prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, was released to enormous hype.
Complete cast of Kantara Table
The Kantara cast features powerhouse performers delivering authentic portrayals. Rishab Shetty dominates in dual roles, supported by fresh faces and veterans.
| Actor/Actress | Character | Role Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rishab Shetty | Kaadubettu Shiva / Annappa | Lead; Kambala champion & father; wrote/directed |
| Sapthami Gowda | Leela | Shiva’s love interest: tender village girl |
| Kishore Kumar G. | Murali | Deputy Range Forest Officer; antagonist foil |
| Achyuth Kumar | Devendra Suttooru | Power-hungry landlord |
| Pramod Shetty | Sudhakara | Shiva’s ally |
| Prakash Thuminad | Raampa | Key supporting villager |
| Manasi Sudhir | Kamala | Shiva’s mother |
| Deepak Rai Panaje | Sundara | Village elder |
| Shanil Gautham | Bulla | Local tough guy |
| Pradeep Shetty | Mohana | Supporting role |
| Naveen D. Padil | Lawyer | Legal aid in conflict |
| Swaraj Shetty | Guruva | Shiva’s cousin |
| Mime Ramdas | Naaru | Ritual performer |
| Raghu Pandeshwar | Raghu (Forest Officer) | Official enforcer |
| Chandrakala Rao | Sheela | Sundara’s wife |
| Sukanya | Ammakka | Devendra’s wife |
| Sathish Acharya | Tabara | Leela’s father |
| Pushparaj Bollar | Garnall Abbu | Villager |
| Rajeev Shetty | Rajeev Bhandari | Businessman |
| Shine Shetty | Devendra’s father | Elder authority |
| Vinay Biddappa | The King | Mythical figure |
| Pragathi Rishab Shetty | King’s wife | Royal presence |
Kantara Box Office Collections
Kantara shattered records, turning indie roots into a ₹500 crore+ juggernaut. Kannada cinema’s biggest hit ever.
First Week Collections Table (in ₹ Crore)
| Region | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kannada | 5.3 | 10.5 | 13.2 | 6.5 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 5.1 | 52.6 |
| Hindi | 1.5 | 5.2 | 7.1 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 27.3 |
| Telugu | 2.1 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 24.8 |
| Total | 10 | 25 | 32 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 125 |
Net and Gross Collections Table (Worldwide, in ₹ Crore)
| Metric | Amount | Share % |
|---|---|---|
| India Net | 325 | 72% |
| India Gross | 385 | – |
| Overseas Gross | 85 | 18% |
| Worldwide Gross | 470 | 100% |
Budget: ₹16 crore. Verdict: All-time blockbuster; 30x ROI.
Was Kantara a Hit or Flop?
Kantara has authored the history of one of the most successful underdog stories in Indian cinema. The makers produced the film on a modest budget of around ₹16 crore and earned about ₹470 crore worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Kannada film in industry history. People throughout the world felt the vision of Rishab Shetty, and this is what inspired Kantara: Chapter 1.
Kantara: Chapter 1
The 2025 Kannada prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1 was a blockbuster that was aesthetically pleasing to viewers worldwide. Rishab Shetty directed and acted in the film, which explores the history of Buta Kolas in Karnataka’s coastal regions. The Kantara movie cast and lead actress appeared in the release on October 2, 2025, delivering action with a strong folklore twist. It became a box office success and the highest-grossing 2025 film in India. Wint was a Kantara whipping this divine tale.
Movie Overview
It is a Hombale Films production in which the mythology, religiousness and fights are combined. Rishab Shetty plays two roles, Berme and Mayakara. The team shot the film on 25-acre sets in Karnataka forests and completed it in July 2025 after 250 days, with rituals enhanced by B’s score. Ajaneesh Loknath, including Brahmakalasha. Budget: ₹120 crore. Runtime: 2h48m. Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam releases. Since October 31, 2025, Amazon Prime Video OTT service.
Complete Cast of Kantara: Chapter 1 Table
| Actor/Actress | Character | Role Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Rishab Shetty | Berme / Mayakara | Tribal guardian possessed by Guliga Daiva |
| Jayaram | King Rajashekara | Just a ruler turned conspirator |
| Rukmini Vasanth | Princess Kanakavathi | Ambitious royal with dark secrets (Kantara movie actress) |
| Gulshan Devaiah | Prince Kulashekara | Reckless antagonist brother |
| Ramitha Shailendra | Rajamatha Rajalakshmi | Queen mother |
| Pramod Shetty | Bhogendra | Scheming minister |
| Naveen D. Padil | Booba | Port official |
| Rakesh Poojary | Peppe | Booba’s son |
| Prakash Thuminad | Chenna | Soldier |
| Deepak Rai Panaje | Sankappa | Tribal ally |
| Hariprashanth M G | King Vijayendra | Ruthless predecessor |
| Cameos: Achyuth Kumar | Dalal (Arab trader) | Brief intrigue |
Box Office Collections of Kantara Chapter 1
First Week Breakdown:
| Day | India Net (₹ Cr) | Worldwide Gross (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 72 | 89+ |
| 2 Days | – | 151 |
| Extended Weekend | – | 325-335 |
| Week 1 End | – | 520 |
Final Verdict: Massive Hit. Earned ₹900+ Crore globally in Week 4, the highest-grossing Indian films. Karnataka alone: ₹268 Cr (record). Second-largest Kannada movie ever. 82% Rotten Tomatoes. Critics acclaimed the visuals (4/5), others the story weaknesses (3/5 avg). Broke records in Hindi (₹75 Cr net).
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