The film Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, has been a runaway success in theatres, and now it’s gearing up for its streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video from 31 October 2025 in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The Hindi version, however, will only follow after an eight-week gap.
While the digital release is exciting, a significant section of fans has voiced their disappointment. Many feel the theatrical run is still going strong — with daily ticket sales continuing at a healthy rate — and argue that the OTT release should have been delayed to let the film further capitalise on its box-office momentum. The early digital drop, according to fans, takes away from the exclusivity of the theatrical experience.
Behind the scenes, sources indicate that the decision was driven by contractual obligations. The agreement with the streaming platform stipulated a four-week window after theatrical release for the original language. Delaying it any further would reportedly have required the producers to pay a hefty compensation to the streaming service — making postponement financially unviable.
Looking ahead, viewers are curious to see how the film performs on OTT and whether its online reach can match its theatrical success. Given its strong box-office run and pan-India appeal, Kantara: Chapter 1 is poised to make an impact on the digital front too — but for many fans, the theatrical magic needed a longer runway.
