Rishab Shetty’s Pan-India Epic Kantara Chapter 1 Eclipses Varun-Janhvi’s ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’; Bollywood Rom-Com Targets ₹10-12 Crore Start
The highly anticipated Dussehra weekend box office battle will likely see a decisive victory for the South Indian film industry. Our analysis predicts Rishab Shetty’s mythological epic, Kantara: Chapter 1, will seize a massive opening day collection of between ₹25-30 crore (net, across all Indian languages). This commanding figure dwarfs the predicted start of the Bollywood romantic comedy, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (SSKTK), which stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor and aims for a respectable ₹10-12 crore opening.
The simultaneous October 2 release pits a sprawling, folklore-driven pan-India franchise against a mainstream Bollywood rom-com, showcasing the ongoing shift in audience preferences toward high-concept, culturally rooted content.
‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ Fires on All Cylinders
Rishab Shetty, who directs and stars in the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, has successfully harnessed the immense goodwill and fan anticipation generated by the original. Trade experts unanimously peg Kantara: Chapter 1 as the clear box office leader, driven by its massive pan-India appeal and its deep dive into the origins of the mythological Bhoota Kola ritual.
- Kannada Momentum: Advance bookings in Karnataka, the film’s home territory, show extraordinary momentum, with the Kannada version of the film reporting substantial pre-sales.
- Pan-India Strength: The initial Kantara was a sleeper hit, eventually grossing over ₹400 crore worldwide and finding huge success in the Hindi market. Analysts expect the prequel’s aggressive push in the Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam markets to deliver a robust nationwide total.
- The Big Number: A first-day haul of ₹25-30 crore places Kantara: Chapter 1 among the biggest Indian openers of the year, underscoring the dominance of regional cinema in driving large-scale theatrical business.
The film, backed by Hombale Films, delves into the origins of Kaadubettu Shiva during the Kadamba dynasty era, promising a spectacular blend of high-octane action and spiritual depth that excites audiences across language barriers.
‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’ Eyes Double Digits
The Hindi film entry, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, enters the fray with the star power of Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Dharma Productions. The romantic comedy will rely heavily on its family-friendly appeal and the holiday weekend footfall.
- Target Opening: The film is expected to open in the ₹10-12 crore range. This is a solid, albeit cautious, double-digit start for a traditional Bollywood rom-com in the post-pandemic era, where such genres have struggled to secure massive initial numbers.
- Audience Base: SSKTK targets the multiplex and metropolitan audience, particularly in North India. Trade circles believe its final opening figure will be highly dependent on last-minute spot bookings and the crucial word-of-mouth once the first shows conclude.
- The Clash Impact: The massive screen share commanded by Kantara: Chapter 1 will inevitably impact SSKTK’s potential. The Hindi film’s success will hinge entirely on its content connecting with the family audience to ensure strong growth over the long opening weekend.
The film, which features an ensemble cast including Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf, promises a light-hearted, festive entertainment option, as Varun Dhawan himself clarified that the movie does not intend to be “preachy.”
The Screen Showdown: A Tough Battle for Real Estate
The sheer disparity in the opening day predictions highlights a fierce battle for screen space. Distributors for both films are actively vying for maximum visibility, particularly in North Indian theatres, where the Hindi version of Kantara: Chapter 1 presents the most direct competition to SSKTK.
Industry analysts stress that while Kantara: Chapter 1 secures a high initial opening, both films possess the potential to thrive in the long run, given the extended holiday period of Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. However, the box office report card on October 3 will clearly crown the epic prequel as the immediate box office champion.
