The Deepavali weekend of 2025 has delivered a clear winner at the box office, with Rishab Shetty’s critically acclaimed prequel, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, continuing its phenomenal run. Having been in theatres for over two weeks, the film defied typical weekday dips and new releases, registering an impressive 47% jump in collections over the festive Saturday. This surge propelled the film past the coveted ₹500 crore net collection mark in India and saw its worldwide gross total soar past ₹717.50 crore by the start of the third week.
The film’s performance on its 17th day—reportedly earning ₹12.5 crore—was significantly higher than the combined opening day figures of the major Tamil Deepavali releases. “The hold of Kantara Chapter 1 is extraordinary; it’s practically behaving like a new release,” noted a prominent trade analyst. The Kannada version, in particular, maintained strong occupancy, peaking at nearly 55% for night shows in certain regions.
The Tamil film industry’s Deepavali 2025 releases have sparked a vibrant contest among the younger generation of stars. Stepping in during a holiday season typically reserved for veteran A-listers, Pradeep Ranganathan’s romantic-comedy, ‘Dude’, has delivered an unprecedented opening for the actor-director, effectively claiming the box office crown for day one.
‘Dude’ Hits a Box Office Jackpot Despite Mixed Reviews
Ranganathan, known for his previous hits like ‘Love Today’ and ‘Dragon’, has proven his enduring appeal to the youth demographic. His latest outing, ‘Dude’, reportedly amassed an estimated ₹10 crore on its opening day, an impressive figure that positions it miles ahead of the competition. The film, a quintessential love-comedy, has received a mostly positive response from the general audience, reinforcing Ranganathan’s status as a formidable commercial force.
However, the film’s massive opening comes despite receiving mixed critical reviews. While the first half is widely lauded for its “youthful vibe and thoroughly entertaining” moments, many critics and viewers on social media noted that the second half “fell flat with issues in the screenplay, pacing, and emotional impact.” Nevertheless, the strong festive sentiment and Pradeep Ranganathan’s signature ‘coded film’ appeal have ensured a strong box office start, suggesting that the audience’s enthusiasm has transcended critical dissent.
‘Bison’ Scores High on Content and Performance
In a stark contrast to ‘Dude’s’ commercial-first victory, Dhruv Vikram’s sports drama, ‘Bison: Kaalamaadan’, has emerged as the clear critical favourite. Directed by the acclaimed Mari Selvaraj, the film, based on the life of kabaddi player Manathi Ganesan, is being hailed for its “intense performance” by Dhruv Vikram and its “hard-hitting” social message.
While ‘Bison’ opened strong, securing approximately ₹2.5 crore on day one, it trails significantly behind the box office leader. Critics are unanimously praising the film as a “landmark” in Dhruv Vikram’s career and a new, powerful chapter for the young actor. The film’s strength lies in its profound narrative, which combines social commentary with a personal journey. Trade analysts anticipate that the overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth generated by critics and early audiences could help ‘Bison’ build momentum and sustain its collections in the coming holiday week, turning the commercial race into a potential marathon.
‘Diesel’ Trails, Hoping for a Post-Diwali Surge
Rounding out the three-way competition is Harish Kalyan’s action-thriller, ‘Diesel’. This long-delayed project, revolving around an oil smuggling mafia, struggled to make a mark on its opening day, reportedly collecting a modest ₹30 lakh. Despite some positive online feedback praising Kalyan’s “rugged avatar” and the film’s “full power action and intense drama,” its box office performance indicates a struggle to capture the audience’s attention against the heavyweights. The team, however, remains optimistic that the collection will increase as the festive week progresses.
A Cinematic Phenomenon’s Enduring Appeal
The sheer scale of Kantara Chapter 1‘s box office dominance underscores its universal appeal, a testament to writer-director-actor Rishab Shetty’s vision. The film, which delves into the ancient origins and complex mythology of the “Daiva” spirit, has resonated deeply with audiences across languages, proving yet again that a story rooted in regional folklore can become a global cinematic phenomenon. The sustained success of Kantara Chapter 1 is a powerful statement on the audience’s appetite for authentic, culturally rich, and visually spectacular Indian cinema.