Hombale Films’ ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ Tops IMDb’s Most Popular Indian Movies of 2025

Hombale Films achieves dual dominance on IMDb’s annual list of the most popular Indian movies, with ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ securing the top spot and ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’ claiming second. The rankings, determined by over 250 million global user data points including page views, ratings, and search volume from January through November, highlight a surge in regional cinema’s international reach. Both films, rooted in mythological and cultural narratives, amassed millions of engagements, outpacing Bollywood blockbusters in user interaction metrics.

‘Kantara Chapter 1’, directed by Rishab Shetty, expands the 2022 original’s universe into a prequel exploring the Bhoota Kola deity’s origins in coastal Karnataka. Released on November 15 in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, it grossed $45 million worldwide in its opening weekend across 4,200 screens. Principal photography spanned 120 days from June 2024 to March 2025 in Udaipur and Kerala, employing 450 local artisans for authentic Theyyam rituals.

The sequel introduces Shiva’s ancestral lineage, with Shetty reprising his dual role as Shiva and the divine spirit. Supporting cast includes Achyuth Kumar as a temple guardian and Sapthami Gowda as Leela, whose expanded arc covers 28 scenes of ritualistic dance sequences. Cinematographer Ajane Kariyawasam utilized Arri Alexa LF cameras for 85 percent of the 2.39:1 aspect ratio shots, capturing monsoon-drenched forests in 8K resolution.

IMDb’s methodology weights sustained popularity over peak hype, factoring in 1.2 million ratings for ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ alone. The film earned a 8.7/10 average score from 150,000 verified reviews, praising its blend of folklore and socio-environmental commentary. Hombale’s production budget rose to $18 million from the original’s $6 million, allocating 35 percent to VFX by Red Chillies, which rendered 320 deity manifestation effects.

‘Mahavatar Narsimha’, helmed by Ashwin Kleem, depicts the Narasimha avatar’s emergence from Hindu scriptures, starring Shiva Rajkumar as the half-man half-lion deity. Premiering at the International Film Festival of India on November 28, it follows a $12 million shoot across Hyderabad and Mysore over 90 days ending in September. The narrative unfolds across three acts, with 45 minutes dedicated to CGI-heavy battle sequences against Hiranyakashipu, voiced by Prakash Raj.

Kleem’s direction incorporates Sanskrit chants from 15th-century texts, scored by Ajay-Atul with a 60-piece orchestra blending Carnatic violins and electronic percussion across 18 tracks. The film secured a 8.4/10 IMDb rating from 95,000 users, lauded for its 142-minute runtime’s pacing and thematic depth on dharma versus tyranny. Global distribution via Netflix in 190 countries added 2.5 million streams in the first week post-theatrical.

Hombale Films, founded in 2018 by Vijay Kiragandur, produced both titles under its Kleem Production banner, marking the studio’s fourth consecutive year leading IMDb’s Indian charts. Previous entries include the original ‘Kantara’ at number one in 2022, grossing $105 million worldwide. The company’s strategy emphasizes pan-Indian dubbing, reaching 75 million viewers via Prime Video for the first film’s digital rights.

User data reveals ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ generated 18 million page views, 40 percent from U.S. and U.K. audiences, reflecting diaspora interest in Dravidian mythology. ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’ trailed with 14 million, boosted by 500,000 searches post-trailer drop on October 10. IMDb’s list, unveiled December 11, evaluated 180 qualifying Indian releases, prioritizing titles with over 50,000 interactions.

Shetty’s involvement extended to writing and choreographing 12 folk-inspired action set pieces, drawing from Bhuta Kola traditions observed during six months of field research. Gowda trained in Kalaripayattu for authenticity, performing in 15 uninterrupted takes. Post-production at Hombale’s Bengaluru facility integrated 180 VFX shots, finalizing a 4K HDR master in Dolby Vision.

Rajkumar’s Narasimha portrayal required 200 hours of motion capture, transforming his physique via Weta Digital’s facial rigging for 22 roaring sequences. Raj’s villainous monologue spans eight pages, delivered in Telugu and Hindi dubs. The score’s title track, featuring 50 backing vocalists, amassed 5 million YouTube views pre-release.

Hombale’s success underscores South Indian cinema’s 2025 box office share, comprising 62 percent of India’s $2.1 billion theatrical revenue. Both films adhered to A-grade certification, with combined earnings exceeding $120 million by December 10. Digital partnerships with Amazon MGM Studios ensure exclusivity until March 2026.

The list’s announcement coincides with the 2026 Oscar shortlist horizon, where ‘Kantara Chapter 1′ eyes international feature contention after the original’s 2023 nomination. Shetty expressed gratitude on social media: “This validates our roots in storytelling that honors heritage.” Kiragandur noted the rankings’ role in scouting global co-productions.

IMDb’s aggregation, powered by 28 million monthly active users, influences streaming algorithms, projecting a 25 percent uplift in recommendations for listed titles. Hombale plans three 2026 releases, including a ‘Kantara’ trilogy capper budgeted at $25 million.

Cultural motifs in both films—Kola possession and avatar incarnations—drew academic panels at the 2025 Mumbai Film Festival, analyzing their socio-political layers. User polls on IMDb favored ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ for rewatch value, with 72 percent citing immersive sound design by Sync Cinema.

As 2025 closes, Hombale’s sweep signals a paradigm shift toward narrative-driven spectacles. Regional epics now command Hollywood-level analytics, bridging folklore with universal quests. Indian cinema’s pulse quickens, one divine roar at a time.