Kantara: Chapter 1 Becomes a Pan-India Sensation: Meet Pragathi Shetty, the Designer Who Made It Iconic

Kantara chapter 1 has been smashing record after record in the box office ever since its release on 30th September. Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, has now surpassed the Rs. 500 crore mark in domestic earnings and raked in over Rs. 600 crore worldwide by the close of its second weekend.

While the entire world is praising Rishab Shetty for his outstanding performance, one contribution which cannot be overlooked is Rishabh Shetty's wife, Pragathi Shetty, who is one of the creative forces behind the blockbuster film Kantara: Chapter 1.

Pragathi has been known for her meticulous costume design for the movies of the Kantara franchise, and her all-round support during production. Pragathi has become a major figure in the Kannada film industry.

She's being widely praised for her designs, which enhanced the visual appeal of the movie & the storytelling, making it a cinematic experience. Kantara chapter 1 also connected to regional roots because of its authenticity, which critics and audiences have praised.

Pragathi Shetty's Journey: Life, Cinema & More

Pragathi Shetty initially pursued a career in engineering, earning her degree from Sahyadri College in Shivamogga. Coming from Mandarthi in Karnataka's Udupi district, she began her professional journey as a software engineer in Bengaluru and later entered the cinema world.
Pragathi has contributed as a costume designer to several notable Kannada films, including Bell Bottom (2019), Kantara (2022), and Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025).

Pragathi and Rishab Shetty first connected at a film event and later via social media before marrying in 2017. The couple, considered one of Kannada cinema's power couples, has two children: son Ranvit (born 2019) and daughter Radhya (born 2022).

Kantara: Chapter 1 Box Office Collection Record-Breaking Success

Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, has taken the box office by storm. As of October 13, 2025, the period folk action thriller has amassed a worldwide collection of Rs. 614.3 crore, with Rs. 438.4 crore net and Rs. 524.3 crore gross from India alone. Overseas earnings stand at Rs 90 crore.

The movie opened with an impressive Rs. 61.85 crore on day one and maintained strong earnings throughout its first week. The second weekend saw a surge with Rs. 39 crore on day 10 and Rs. 40 crore on day 11, breaking records previously held by films like Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire, Baahubali: The Beginning, Jailer, and the 2025 hit Saiyaara.

Strong occupancy rates were seen across Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam markets, and the film now has a pan-Indian appeal.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual analysts or entities and do not reflect the views of Goodreturns.in or Greynium Information Technologies Private Limited (together referred as "we"). We do not guarantee, endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any content, nor do we provide any investment advice or solicit the purchase or sale of securities. All information is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should be independently verified from licensed financial advisors before making any investment decisions.