2025 saw massive blockbusters like Chhaava and Saiyaara. Both these Hindi films grossed over Rs. 500 crores. The animated film Mahavatar Narsimha is nearing the Rs. 300 crore mark. Sitaare Zameen Par, Sankranthiki Vasthunam, and Empuraan also emerged as massive hits, each crossing Rs. 250 crores gross. However, the Rs. 1000 crore benchmark is yet to be breached this calendar year.
Coolie and War 2 had the opportunity to achieve the four-digit milestone, but both biggies fell short of expectations and are heading toward loss ventures. Since Prabhas’ The Raja Saab is targeting Sankranthi 2026, only one film stands a chance of earning Rs. 1000 crores this year. The movie in question is Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1, the prequel to the blockbuster Kantara.
The mythological action drama, also starring Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah, is slated for a grand release on October 2. Pawan Kalyan’s much-anticipated OG is also releasing this year, but Kantara: Chapter 1 has the edge due to its massive demand across all major languages. For those unaware, Kantara collected over Rs. 80 crores nett in Hindi.
Well-made sequels have always lit up the Hindi box office, as we’ve seen with Pushpa 2: The Rule, Stree 2, and KGF 2. Technically, Kantara: Chapter 1 may be a prequel, but it has all the qualities to emerge as an Rs. 1000 crore grosser. Can Rishab Shetty’s directorial live up to expectations, or will 2025 end without a Rs. 1000 crore film? Let’s wait and see.