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Back in 2022, something remarkable unfolded in Indian cinema. A Kannada film, Kantara, unexpectedly grew into a nationwide phenomenon. Co-written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the film not only elevated his stature but also cemented his place as a true Pan-Indian star. Naturally, a project of that impact called for a continuation, and in 2025, Kantara: Chapter 1 is set to arrive on the big screen, scheduled for release on October 2.
The first installment, made on a modest budget of around 16 crores, went on to collect over 400 crores worldwide, making it one of the biggest success stories in recent times. Now, the sequel Kantara: Chapter 1 is raising the stakes with an estimated budget of 125 crores. While some big-ticket films allocate the majority of their funds towards star remuneration, the question remains: will Kantara: Chapter 1 follow that trend, or will its scale reflect something more ambitious?
How Much Did Rishab Shetty Get Paid for Kantara: Chapter 1?
Well, before we get into his remuneration, let’s first look at what is typical for a big-budget South Indian film. Let’s compare Kantara with Coolie, even though both are from different film industries. Coolie, from Tamil cinema, was also a big-budget venture. According to Deccan Herald, it was made on a budget of Rs 350 crore. Rajinikanth’s original remuneration for the film was Rs 150 crore, while director Lokesh Kanagaraj received Rs 50 crore. Furthermore, Rajinikanth even received performance-based incentives; for example, an additional 50 crore was paid to him due to the film’s strong performance in pre-release sales.
