BY CHRISTA LINCY

The Kannada film industry,has grown tremendously over the past decade, producing films that are increasingly reaching audiences beyond Karnataka and gaining recognition across India and overseas. With the success of franchises like KGF, Vikrant Rona, and 777 Charlie, Kannada cinema has proven that regional films with compelling storytelling, strong performances, and high production values can compete with mainstream Indian cinema. Among these, Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has emerged as a groundbreaking success, capturing the imagination of audiences nationwide and setting new box office milestones. Take a look at the Box Office Collections and Milestones .Kantara: Chapter 1 has achieved phenomenal box office numbers, becoming one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time. Within the first week of its release, the film crossed ₹400 crore worldwide, surpassing the lifetime collections of previous hits, including the original Kantara and Vikram. .The opening day in India saw collections of approximately ₹74.25 crore(India Gross), with the Hindi version alone contributing around ₹20 crore .The first weekend totaled over ₹141.5 crore, with a strong Sunday showing of ₹75.75 crore (India Gross) By the sixth day, the film had firmly established itself as a pan-India phenomenon, performing exceptionally well in Karnataka and making notable contributions from non-Kannada speaking states as well as overseas markets.When compared to other top Kannada films, Kantara: Chapter 1 stands out not only for its impressive global earnings but also for its cultural resonance and widespread appeal. While KGF: Chapter 2 remains the highest-grossing Kannada film with over ₹1,200 crore worldwide, and KGF: Chapter 1, Vikrant Rona, 777 Charlie, and Su From So have all made significant marks, Kantara: Chapter 1 has set new benchmarks for regional storytelling, demonstrating that strong content combined with pan-India release strategy can drive extraordinary success. The film’s connection to local folklore, positive critical reviews, and sustained word-of-mouth buzz have played key roles in maintaining its momentum, making it a landmark achievement in the history of Kannada cinema and a clear example of how regional films are making a mark on the global stage. Top Grossers in Kannada Cinema (Worldwide)RankFilmYear Of ReleaseWorldwide Collection(Gross) 1 KGF: Chapter 22022₹ 1215 Cr 2Kantara: A Legend Chapter-12025₹ 415 Cr(As ofDay 7)3Kantara2022₹ 407.82 Cr4KGF: Chapter 12018₹ 238.00 Cr5Su From So2025₹ 121 Cr6777 Charlie2022 ₹ 102.75 Cr7Vikrant Rona2022₹ 100.35 Cr When compared to other top Kannada films, Kantara: Chapter 1 stands out not only for its impressive global earnings but also for its cultural resonance and widespread appeal. While KGF: Chapter 2 remains the highest-grossing Kannada film with over ₹1,200 crore worldwide, and KGF: Chapter 1, Vikrant Rona, 777 Charlie, and Su From So have all made significant marks, Kantara: Chapter 1 has set new benchmarks for regional storytelling, demonstrating that strong content combined with pan-India release strategy can drive extraordinary success. The film’s connection to local folklore, positive critical reviews, and sustained word-of-mouth buzz have played key roles in maintaining its momentum, making it a landmark achievement in the history of Kannada cinema and a clear example of how regional films are making a mark on the global stage.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 8 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has sent fans into a frenzy and set social media abuzz by revealing the intense first look as he begins the final leg of crime action thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. The actor shared a striking video glimpse of his first look, raising a clenched fist and giving an intense expression of his negative shades as he appears from behind a black car. He calls his role a challenging one, which has surprised him in many ways. Sharing the update on social media, Akshay wrote, "Last schedule of #Haiwaan... what a journey it's been. This character has pushed, shaped, and surprised me in so many ways. Forever grateful to @priyadarshandir Sir, your sets feel like home. And Saif, thank you for the laughter, ease, and all those effortless moments on screen." Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan marks another collaboration between the actor-director duo after several memorable hits. The film also stars Saif Ali Khan, and their on-screen pairing has already sparked excitement among fans. The movie is produced by KVN Productions. Akshay's rugged look, combined with his heartfelt words, suggests that Haiwaan will showcase him in a role unlike any he has portrayed before. As the shoot nears completion, anticipation is high for Haiwaan, which is expected to be an emotionally charged crime action drama. Last schedule of #Haiwaan…what a journey it’s been. This character has pushed, shaped, and surprised me in so many ways.Forever grateful to @priyadarshandir Sir, your sets feel like home. And Saif, thank you for the laughter, ease, and all those effortless moments on screen. pic.twitter.com/Kts0UyRIXf— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) October 8, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Idli Kadai, Dhanush’s latest directorial venture, continues to perform steadily at the box office, winning the hearts of audiences across India and overseas. With a worldwide gross of ₹58.25 Cr, including ₹9.15 Cr from overseas markets the film has impressed viewers with its relatable storytelling, emotional beats, and strong word-of-mouth, establishing itself as a moderate success for the actor-director.The film opened to mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising Dhanush’s nuanced direction and the film’s heartfelt narrative. However, it was the audience response that truly fueled the film’s momentum. Dhanush’s dedicated fanbase, coupled with the growing popularity of its trailer and promotions, helped the film sustain steady numbers throughout the first week. Urban centres saw consistent footfalls, while single screens and tier-2 cities contributed significantly to the weekend surge. The film’s festive timing and holiday weekend played a role in attracting family audiences, who appreciated the film’s simplicity, humour, and emotional depth.Audiences have praised Idli Kadai for its heartfelt storytelling and authentic Tamil flavour. The film’s relatable family moments, particularly the father-son emotional sequence, have struck a chord with viewers.The film’s organic humour and emotional beats balance the narrative perfectly, while the music and background score elevate the key sequences, making several scenes stand out. It is these elements, combined with strong performances, have fueled the positive word-of-mouth, a key factor in sustaining box office performance beyond the opening weekend. Idli Kadai has maintained a stable trajectory at the box office, showing strong holds across Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states. Multiplexes and single screens alike contributed to the film’s steady run, In overseas markets, particularly regions with a significant Tamil diaspora, the film has collected ₹9.15 Cr. While not record-breaking, these numbers add meaningfully to the worldwide total, demonstrating the film’s appeal beyond India and its ability to attract viewers from international markets.As of now, the film has collected ₹58.25 Cr worldwide, a respectable number that positions it as a moderate success. The film’s appeal across both mass audiences and urban viewers underscores Dhanush’s ability to connect with a broad spectrum of viewers. With a worldwide total of ₹58.25 Cr and consistent performance in Tamil Nadu and overseas markets, Idli Kadai has carved out a moderate box office success. The combination of strong storytelling, memorable scenes, and positive audience response reinforces Dhanush’s credibility as a filmmaker capable of balancing critical appreciation with commercial viability.As word-of-mouth continues to spread, the film’s second-week performance will be closely watched, with trends suggesting that it will continue to draw audiences steadily across India and abroad. Idli Kadai Day Wise CollectionDayDay Total(Gross)RemarksDay 1[1st Wednesday] ₹ 13 CrDecent start with strong occupancy in Tamil NaduDay 2[1st Thursday]₹ 11.5 CrWord-of-mouth picks up; growth in evening shows.Day3[1st Friday]₹ 6.65 CrHealthy weekend trend; family audiences turn up in good numbers.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 8 - Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan and actress Sreeleela teamed up for director Anurag Basu's musical romantic drama film. The film was originally supposed to be titled Aashiqui 3, but the makers dropped the idea due to copyright issues. The movie has gone through some changes. According to the latest reports, the movie is currently being reshoot for a major portion. It is said that 10 days' worth of scenes that were already shot have been completely scrapped. Meanwhile, the film has reportedly been titled Tu Meri Zindagi Hai. It has been taken for the title song of the Aashiqui film. "When choosing the title, it was a pre-emptive move by the makers to avoid making a direct reference to Aashiqui. The team wanted a name that evoked nostalgia but didn't risk legal or creative complications. Tu Meri Zindagi Hai felt like the perfect fit", says the report by Mid-Day. Aashiqui has been a cult franchise, but due to creative differences between producer Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt before they parted ways, the makers can't use the same title as the film. But the makers feel that Tu Meri Zindagi Hai fits perfectly while avoiding legal complications. "It's a classic love story with Basu's signature treatment of the genre. With the release more than six months away, it gives the team time to weave in some additional tracks. The latest schedule is underway in Mumbai, and the film will be shot till 2025-end, with patchwork spilling on to early 2026", the report added. Produced by T-Series, Tu Meri Zindagi Hai will hit the big screens on May 1, 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 8 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar-led Housefull 5 was released in theatres on June 6, 2025, and did decent business at the box office. Also starring Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Nargis Fakri, among others, the film is all set for a World TV premiere on October 11 on the Star Gold India channel. As the movie is gearing up for the television premiere, the Housefull 5 star cast, while promoting the film's TV release, sat for a discussion about what could be the plot for Housefull 6, possibly hinting at the sixth instalment of the blockbuster comedy franchise. In the playful promo, shared by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment on X, Riteish Deshmukh revealed his wild idea for Housefull 6. The actor said he would love to see the comedy franchise turn into a horror-comedy, with a twist — all the girls in the film appearing without make-up! His tongue-in-cheek remark had everyone bursting into laughter. When Akshay Kumar was asked about his take on the theme, he couldn't resist one of his signature witty comebacks. The superstar joked that in his version, all the cast members die and go up, but the title still makes sense because, well — "it remains Housefull!". Abhishek Bachchan too joined the party and shared that he wishes to see Housefull 6 as a superhero film. The lighthearted exchange perfectly captures the fun, over-the-top energy that's made the Housefull series a fan favourite. While there’s no official confirmation yet on Housefull 6, it might happen sooner than expected. Housefull 6 could be a Horror Comedy or a Superhero film? Hear what the cast has to say about the upcoming lineup of the superhit Housefull franchise.Dekhiye Killer comedy Housefull 5 ke World TV Premiere mein, 11th October, Saturday raat 8 baje, sirf @StarGoldIndia par. ⭐… pic.twitter.com/KBNMRtfTmc— Nadiadwala Grandson (@NGEMovies) October 8, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, October 8 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues to wave its magic at the worldwide box office, and is climbing new heights with each passing day. In just 6 days, the prequel has achieved a phenomenal milestone by surpassing the lifetime earnings of the original Kantara and emerging as the second-highest-grossing Kannada film of all time. Written, directed, and headlined by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 has amassed over 410 crores gross worldwide in 6 days, overtaking Kantara (2022), which had ended its lifetime run with around 408 crores gross. The achievement becomes even more special considering that Chapter 1 has reached this mark in under a week — a feat not many Indian films have managed. After surpassing Kantara, the only film now ahead of Kantara Chapter 1 is Yash's action drama KGF Chapter 2, which remains the undisputed Kannada box office leader with a staggering 1215 crores gross worldwide. The actor's KGF Chapter 1 is 4th in the list with 238 crores worldwide. Kantara 2 has shown an excellent reception not just in Karnataka, but also in the Hindi belt, Telugu states, Tamil Nadu, and overseas markets, where audiences have lauded its storytelling, world-building, and Shetty's performance. At this pace, Kantara Chapter 1 is heading to enter the 500 crores club by the second Friday to become the second Kannada movie ever to do so. With the film's big success, Rishab Shetty has once again proven that rooted storytelling with strong cultural essence can create a massive cinematic impact on a global scale. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 8 - Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana is set for back-to-back exciting films in the next couple of years. The acclaimed actor is currently gearing up for the release of Maddock Films' horror comedy Thamma, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna in the leading role. Thamma, which is part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), is scheduled to release on October 21, on the occasion of Diwali. After Thamma, Ayushmann has confirmed two more big films. During the FICCI Frames 2025 event in Mumbai, the actor confirmed that he has films with Sooraj Barjatya and Karan Johar. Over the last few months, there have been reports that Ayushmann would be headlining director Sooraj Barjatya's next romantic family drama. Confirming the same, Ayushmann said that the film is aimed at a wider audience. It will be produced by Barjatya's Rajshri Productions. Apart from Barjatya's next, the actor also confirmed that he has a film with producer Karan Johar's Dharma Productions. While the actor didn't reveal the details for both films, it is probably the first time he has confirmed his future project publicly. The line-up looks promising, which aims to take the actor's career to new heights. Until now, Ayushmann has done films which had their limitations in terms of audience reach, as he has done movies which focus on social taboos. Going forward, the actor is now looking to do more commercial films for a larger audience, starting with Thamma, while also doing social films in between. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 7 - Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 continues its magnificent box office run across the domestic market. After a superb extended opening weekend and a solid hold on Monday, the film has now scored yet another good jump on its sixth day, hitting double digits in Hindi. On its sixth day (Tuesday), the Hindi version of Kantara Chapter 1 scored an estimated 10.50–11.50 crores net, jumping by +20% and maintaining a strong grip after a festive extended frame. With this, the film's total Hindi collection stands at approximately 93 crores net in just six days. The jump from Monday is good, reflecting excellent word-of-mouth and sustained audience interest, especially in mass belts and tier-2 centres. By tomorrow, it will cross the 100 crores mark in Hindi and become the first South Indian title of the year to achieve the feat. Across all versions, Kantara Chapter 1 has crossed a staggering 400 crores gross worldwide in 6 days, becoming the first Kannada film of 2025 to breach this mark. It is also the fourth Indian film of the year, after Coolie, Saiyaara, and Chhaava, to achieve this feat. The film’s success story is powered by phenomenal performance not just in Karnataka but also in North India, the Gulf, and select international markets, where the film's mystic theme and Rishab Shetty's powerful portrayal have struck a chord.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, October 16 - Rising Tamil star Pradeep Ranganathan was heading to lock horns with himself this Diwali with Dude and Love Insurance Kompany. However, in a major relief, the unwanted clash has been averted after the makers postponed LIK to December 18, 2025. Produced by Rowdy Pictures and Seven Screen Studio, LIK was announced for Diwali 2025 release along with Ranganathan's Dude (October 21), produced by AGS Entertainment. On Monday (October 6), the makers officially announced that LIK was postponed and it will now be released in December instead. While the actor has avoided the tricky situation for now, LIK won't be a solo outing in December either. It is already announced that James Cameron's highly-awaited Avatar: Fire and Ash is scheduled to hit the big screen on December 19, and it will be a major cinematic event at the Indian box office. Meanwhile, LIK is directed by Vignesh Shivan. The science fiction romantic comedy was initially announced untitled in 2019 with Sivakarthikeyan starring and Lyca Productions producing; however, it was shelved due to budget concerns. In 2023, the project was revived with Pradeep, and the official announcement by Seven Screen Studios was made in September that year. The movie, set in 2040, stars Pradeep Ranganathan, S. J. Suryah and Krithi Shetty in leading roles, while Yogi Babu, Seeman, Gouri G Kishan, Shah Ra, Malavika, Mysskin, Anandaraj and Sunil Reddy play supporting roles. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, October 7 - Hombale Films' blockbuster prequel Kantara Chapter 1 is putting on a big show at the domestic box office, obliterating records in the home turf. After scoring the biggest opening weekend ever in Karnataka, the film has now delivered the all-time biggest first Monday in the state. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the period folk action thriller scored approximately 15 crores gross on its first Monday in Karnataka, which is now the biggest ever, beating SS Rajamouli and Prabhas-fronted Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion (11.50 crores gross). Yash's KGF Chapter 2 is third with 9.50 crores gross Monday collection. Kantara Chapter 1 has grossed approximately 93 crores in Karnataka in 5 days. At the time of writing this piece, the prequel to 2022's Kantara has topped 100 crores gross in the state, and has become only the 4th film ever to achieve the feat. As reported earlier, Kantara Chapter 1 is eyeing 200 crores in the home state, which will mark the first such instance. Currently, Kantara is the biggest grosser in KA with 183.60 crores gross, followed by KGF Chapter 2 with 183 crores, and Baahubali 2 with 129 crores. If the momentum continues till the second weekend, then it surely has the chance to become the first 200 crores grosser. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 6 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara Chapter 1 continues its impressive box office run in the Hindi version, showing strong weekday hold after a solid extended opening weekend. The film, which has been riding on positive word of mouth, is maintaining steady momentum despite the usual post-weekend slowdown. After scoring approximately 73.50 crores net in its 4-day extended opening weekend, the prequel is showing a good hold on its first Monday. According to early estimates, Kantara Chapter 1 has collected around 8.50-9.50 crores net on Day 5, marking only around a 30% drop from Friday, a solid trend for a dubbed film in its first weekday phase. With this, the total Hindi collection of the Kannada blockbuster stands at around 82 crores net after 5 days. It will cross Kantara (85 crores net) on its 5th day, and will become the second biggest Kannada grosser in Hindi. The film is firmly heading towards the 100 crores mark within its first week, a feat that underlines its growing interest among North Indian audiences. Overall, the all-time collection of Kantara 2 is expected to be 35+ crores gross on day 5, as per estimates. The film's blend of rooted storytelling, grand visuals, and Rishab Shetty's powerful performance has clearly struck a chord beyond its home market. The strong hold on Monday also indicates that the film's run is far from over. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhanush's latest directorial venture, Idli Kadai, released on October 1, 2025, and has performed well at the Tamil box office. Starring Dhanush and Nithya Menen, the film’s heartwarming storyline set against a rural backdrop has resonated with audiences, drawing praise for its narrative and performances. Before its release, Idli Kadai generated considerable anticipation, leading to decent bookings. In Tamil Nadu, the film's first-day booking grossed approximately 5.77crore [with block seats], indicating a decent level of interest among audiences. The mixed-to-positive response from audiences during these initial screenings helped build momentum for the film's theatrical run throughout the opening weekend. Idly Kadai earned approximately 45 crore gross India net collections and 54 crore worldwide in its 5-day opening weekend, which is a decent collection for the genre. The film's performance was decent across various regions, with Tamil Nadu contributing significantly to the earnings. The opening day alone saw a collection of 13 crore, marking a good start for the film. Idli Kadai also performed decently in international markets, with overseas collections contributing approximately 8.6 crore to the total earnings, reflecting a decent response from international audiences. The film's relatable storyline and strong performances resonated with audiences. While Idli Kadai may not have a big weekend, its engaging storyline, solid performances, and Dhanush’s direction have ensured a steady audience turnout, both in India and overseas, establishing the film as a reliable box office performer