Rishab Shetty’s highly anticipated film, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1,’ is set to make its OTT debut on October 31, 2025. This release comes just four weeks after the movie’s theatrical premiere on October 2, 2025. The film is a prequel to the successful 2022 title ‘Kantara’ and has already grossed over Rs 800 crore globally.
Kantara: Chapter 1’s Early OTT Release
The decision for an early release on OTT for South Indian language versions is based on a three-year-old agreement between the producers and distribution platforms. Chaluve Gowda, a partner at Hombale Films, clarified that the Hindi version will follow an eight-week window before hitting streaming services.
Reasons Behind the Early Release
- The OTT release is scheduled just four weeks after the theatrical run.
- This decision aligns with a prior agreement made three years ago when release practices were different.
- Current industry standards in South Indian cinema favor shorter OTT windows, especially post-COVID.
Impact on Box Office Performance
Despite concerns about the potential impact of the OTT release on box office earnings, Gowda remains optimistic. He anticipates only a minimal decrease in revenue, estimating a variation of around 10–15%. He stated, “We expect it to keep doing well even after its digital release.”
Success at the Box Office
‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ has quickly become one of the biggest hits, having already gained recognition as the 43rd biggest hit in Hindi cinema. The film features a stellar cast, including:
- Rishab Shetty
- Rukmini Vasanth
- Jayaram
- Gulshan Devaiah
With the film continuing to perform well in theaters, audiences are left speculating about the timing of the OTT release. As it stands, the film is set to broaden its audience reach when it streams on El-Balad starting October 31, 2025.
