The wait is almost over. The trailer of Kantara: Chapter 1, starring and directed by Rishab Shetty, is set to release on September 22, aligning with Dasara’s opening day. The launch promises to kick off a grand promotional blitz, setting the stage for one of the most ambitious global rollouts ever attempted by a Kannada film.

Even before the trailer hits, excitement is attracting overseas with North America, distributor Prathyangira Cinemas has been quick to amplify the buzz. Their recent post on X read: “An epic origin forged in fire and faith — 20 days to go (for) Kantara Chapter 1."

With that, the countdown to the US premiere is officially underway. Advance bookings for the film’s premiere shows are now live, with the North American release locked for October 1. Tickets booked through the Cinemark app even come with a special surprise—the Kantara logo flashes upon confirmation, a first-of-its-kind attempt to deepen audience engagement.

Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 is not just being positioned as a pan-India film but as a pan-world spectacle. Beyond the US, the film will simultaneously release in Australia, New Zealand, and several other markets, including countries where no Kannada film has ever seen theatrical distribution before.

North America, home to a vast South Indian diaspora, remains a critical market. Historically, collections from this region outpace the rest of the US by nearly three times, and Kantara is expected to capitalise on that momentum.

Back home, Rishab Shetty is preparing for a whirlwind promotional tour across India, taking the film directly to audiences in major cities once the trailer launches.

For Hombale Films, the vision is clear: Kantara: Chapter 1 will be a cultural export designed to break borders. With advance bookings in full swing and the trailer just days away, the film is set out to be to be one of the most awaited global outing in Indian cinema this year.