K.G.F: Chapter 1 is a 2018 Indian Kannada-language period action film written and directed by Prashanth Neel, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner Hombale films. It is the first installment in the two-part series, followed by K.G.F: Chapter 2. The film centers around Raja Krishnappa Bairya “Rocky”, born into poverty, who arrives in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the 1960s, on a quest for power and wealth as desired by his dying mother. Involved with the gold mafia there, he is recruited to kill Garuda, the oppressive heir-in-waiting, in Kolar Gold Fields. Yash stars as Rocky, while Ramachandra Raju features as Garuda. Anant Nag narrates the film while also playing a supporting role alongside Srinidhi Shetty, Vasishta N. Simha, Ayyappa P. Sharma, and Harish Rai.

KGF

After a North American premiere on 20 December 2018, K.G.F: Chapter 1 was released in Kannada and in dubbed versions of Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam languages the following day, and received a positive response from audiences. However, critics gave the film mixed reviews; while they praised the cinematography, art direction, and background score of the film, the screenplay and editing were criticized. The film performed well commercially and collected ₹76 crore four days into release, in the process breaking the record for the highest-grossing Kannada film of all time. The movie was released online by Amazon Prime Video on 5 February 2019 which earlier bought the digital rights for ₹18 crores and Colors Kannada bought the satellite rights for an undisclosed record price. The shooting for KGF Chapter 2 began on 13 March 2019 and the actor Yash shared the muhurtham picture on his Instagram account

Yash’s KGF: Chapter 1, the costliest Kannada movie is also the film industry’s biggest hit. The first Kannada film to make Rs 100 crore, KGF: Chapter 1 is not only a hit in its home turf but has taken over the box office across the world. KGF: Chapter 1 has been released in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi, apart from in Kannada. While releasing movies in multiple languages is a rather popular strategy, the collection of the Hindi version of KGF: Chapter 1 has come as a welcome surprise.

Even after outlasting Shah Rukh Khan-Anushka Sharma’s Zero and clashing with Ranveer Singh-Sara Ali Khan’s Simmba, KGF: Chapter 1 has managed to leave quite an impression at the box office. By the end of the third weekend, the Hindi version of KGF: Chapter 1 had made Rs 37.20 crore. According to Taran Adarsh, KGF: Chapter 1 made Rs 5.31 crore in the USA.

“Super-success of KGF has given confidence to the Kannada film industry to dream big and explore newer horizons… While KGF is faring exceptionally well in India, it has crossed $750k in the USA… Total till 6 Jan 2019: $761,006 (Rs 5.31 cr),” he tweeted.

KGF: Chapter 1 released on December 21 has made it to the Rs 200 crore club in 18 days. According to trade reports, KGF: Chapter 1 has made Rs 201 crore worldwide so far. 

However, this may be the last week for KGF: Chapter 1 as Rajinikanth’s Petta, Ajith’s Viswasam, Balakrishna’s NTR Kathanayakudu, and Ram Charan’s Vinaya Vidheya Rama are released ahead of Sankranti/Pongal.

KGF: Chapter 1 revolves around the life of gangster Rocky, who is born into poverty and comes looking for wealth and power in Mumbai. His quest leads him to enroll with the gold mafia and take on a job to assassinate the oppressive heir-in-waiting of the Kolar Gold Fields.

KGF: Chapter 1 stars Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Anant Nag, Achyuth Kumar, Vasistha N Simha, and Ramachandra Raju.