1.35 Lakh Tickets Sold in PVR-INOX Chain Till 00:40 AM (All Languages)! Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 Maintains Strong Lead, But Hindi Growth Still Muted Against SSKTK
Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its strong advance booking run as we head closer to Gandhi Jayanti. By 12:40 AM (Oct 1st), the film has registered a further rise in numbers across PVR-INOX chains. The late-night surge has lifted the overall tally, but the jump is steady rather than explosive, suggesting that momentum is consolidating rather than accelerating.
📊 PVR-INOX Advance Booking Report (as of Oct 1, 00:40 AM)
- Karnataka belt continues to dominate, with Bengaluru leading the charge by a massive margin.
- Mysuru and Tumakuru remain exceptional on scale, while smaller centers like Dharwad are still punching above their weight.
- Kerala’s Kochi circuit is steady, adding consistent volume to the South tally.
- Hindi markets — particularly Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Pune — have grown since evening but still lack the festive rush expected at this stage.
⚠️ Growth But Not Exceptional
Between the 5:20 PM update (1.10 lakh admits) and the latest tally, Kantara: Chapter 1 has shown healthy growth. However, the pace is not extraordinary compared to the fiery spikes seen yesterday night. Occupancy levels remain stable, but the much-hoped-for late-night surge in Hindi circuits has not fully materialized.
🔹 Regional Highlights (12:40 AM Snapshot)
- Bengaluru – Still the powerhouse, crossing every milestone comfortably.
- Mysuru & Tumakuru – Consistent Tier-2 heroes, holding very strong.
- Kochi – Kerala continues its solid contribution.
- Mumbai & Pune – Steady growth, but not yet breakout levels.
- Delhi NCR & Ahmedabad – Still sluggish, requiring a big Gandhi Jayanti walk-in boost.
⚔️ Clash Factor With SSKTK
The South remains a one-horse race with Kantara: Chapter 1 dominating completely, leaving Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari out of contention. In the Hindi belt, however, the clash narrative is still alive. Tulsi Kumari’s weak advances mean Kantara has a clear advantage, but without Hindi momentum, the gap could narrow in metros.
🔮 Outlook
Trade expects Kantara: Chapter 1 to stay firmly on track for a ₹65–72 Cr nett Day 1 nationwide start, with South India alone contributing a lion’s share. However, the Hindi version needs stronger acceleration on October 1st (Gandhi Jayanti walk-ins) if it is to match blockbuster benchmarks in the North belt.
✅ Verdict:
At 12:40 AM, growth is evident but not extraordinary. South circuits remain rock solid, while Hindi markets are yet to catch fire. Kantara: Chapter 1 is still comfortably pacing towards one of 2025’s biggest openers, but its Hindi trajectory remains the key talking point.
📢 Disclaimer: The box office figures are compiled from various sources and our own research. Figures are approximate but adequately indicative of the film’s performance
