The film, which has received mixed-to-positive reviews but is dominating the box office (with the Hindi version alone minting a spectacular ₹19.50 crore), faced two immediate threats: widespread illegal leaks and fans sharing theatre-recorded clips on social media.
Taking to social media on Friday, October 3, actor-director Rishab Shetty made a heartfelt appeal to the audience, urging them to protect the “dreams and efforts” of the thousands of people involved in the production.
Shetty’s note highlighted two crucial requests:
- Stop Piracy: “We humbly request you not to support piracy. It not only harms the film but also the dreams and efforts of thousands who worked tirelessly to bring it to life.”
- No Theatre Recordings: He specifically asked fans not to record or share videos from the theatres, stating, “even with good intentions, it takes away the magic of cinema. Kantara Chapter 1 was created for the big screen for you to feel every sound, every frame, every emotion as it was meant to be.”
Box Office Tally & Critical Acclaim
The Day 1 worldwide collection of ₹60 crore (all languages) confirms a bumper opening, putting the film on track to enter the ₹200 crore club by the end of its extended first weekend.
The Free Press Journal reviewer gave the film 3.5 stars, recommending it for those who “want to experience the unfolding of cinema’s magic.” The film’s strong opening coincides with the Dussehra festival holiday, amplifying its commercial performance despite the initial piracy concerns.