KGF: Chapter 1#Plot
{{Short description|2018 Indian film by Prashanth Neel}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox film
| name = KGF: Chapter 1
| image = K.G.F Chapter 1 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster in Kannada
| director = Prashanth Neel
| writer = Prashanth Neel
| producer = Vijay Kiragandur
| narrator = Anant Nag
| cinematography = Bhuvan Gowda
| starring = {{Plain list|
- Yash
- Srinidhi Shetty
- Vasishta N. Simha
- Ramachandra Raju
- Archana Jois
- Anant Nag
- Achyuth Kumar
- Malavika Avinash
- T. S. Nagabharana
- B. Suresha}}
| music = Ravi Basrur
| editing = Srikanth
| studio = Hombale Films
| distributor = {{Plain list|
- Hombale Films (Kannada)
- Excel Entertainment, AA Films (Hindi)
- Vishal Film Factory (Tamil)
- Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram (Telugu)
- Global United Media (Malayalam)}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2018|12|20|United States, Canada|2018|12|21|India}}
| country = India
| language = Kannada
| gross = {{Estimation}}{{INR|250 crore}}{{cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-kgf-chapter-2-box-office-collection-sanjay-dutt-farhan-akhtar-yash-starrer-106870|title=KGF: Chapter 2 - This Bollywood actor to boost box office collections of Yash starrer?|website=www.zeebiz.com|date=29 July 2019|access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=30 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030162909/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-kgf-chapter-2-box-office-collection-sanjay-dutt-farhan-akhtar-yash-starrer-106870|url-status=live}}{{citation|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-reveals-he-has-approached-sanjay-dutt-for-kgf-chapter-2-1452187-2019-02-09|title=Yash's film KGF: Chapter 1 made Rs 250 crore at the box office worldwide and became a magnum-opus. Now, the makers are busy with pre-production work of KGF: Chapter 2.|date=2019-02-09|work=indiatoday|access-date=14 February 2019|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327163005/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-reveals-he-has-approached-sanjay-dutt-for-kgf-chapter-2-1452187-2019-02-09|url-status=live}}
}}
K.G.F: Chapter 1 is a 2018 Indian Kannada-language period action film{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/05/no-technology-can-replace-the-theatrical-experience-1907707.html|title=The story of KGF is fresh and special for Indian cinema: Yash|publisher=The New Indian Express|quote=With Rajinikanth-Akshay Kumar's 2.0 clawing its way up the Indian box-office — arriving on the heels of Baahubali 1 and 2, which proved the theatrical potential of epic crossover films — Kannada cinema seems ready with a massive offering in the period action genre, KGF: Chapter 1.|access-date=23 December 2018|archive-date=12 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812205954/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/05/no-technology-can-replace-the-theatrical-experience-1907707.html|url-status=live}} written and directed by Prashanth Neel, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner of Hombale Films. It is the first installment in the KGF series, followed by K.G.F: Chapter 2. The film stars Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Vasishta N. Simha, Ramachandra Raju, Archana Jois, Anant Nag, Achyuth Kumar, Malavika Avinash, T. S. Nagabharana and B. Suresha. Filmed on a budget of {{INRConvert|80|c|lk=r|year=2018}}, it was the most expensive Kannada film at the time of its release.{{cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-kgf-box-office-collection-record-1st-kannada-movie-to-release-in-pakistan-earns-whopping-rs-200-cr-worldwide-80693|title=KGF Box Office collection: Record! 1st Kannada movie to release in Pakistan; earns whopping Rs 200 cr worldwide|date=17 January 2019|website=Zee Business|access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208132858/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-kgf-box-office-collection-record-1st-kannada-movie-to-release-in-pakistan-earns-whopping-rs-200-cr-worldwide-80693|url-status=live}} In the film, Rocky, a high-ranking mercenary, working for a prominent gold mafia in Bombay, seeks power and wealth in order to fulfill his mother's promise. Due to his high fame, the leaders of the gold mafia where he works hire him to assassinate Garuda, the son of the founder of Kolar Gold Fields.
The film's development began in early 2015, after Neel finished writing the screenplay.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Filming began two years later, in January 2017. Most of the film is set in the Kolar Gold Fields and was filmed in locales such as Kolar, Mysore, and parts of North Karnataka. The film's production was completed in August 2018.{{cite web |title=Yash discusses risks of shooting on a gold mine for KGF |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-discusses-risks-of-shooting-on-gold-mines-for-kgf-5501520/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=25 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=20 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122212/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-discusses-risks-of-shooting-on-gold-mines-for-kgf-5501520/ |url-status=live }} Bhuvan Gowda handled the cinematography and Srikanth edited the film. Composer Ravi Basrur scored the film.{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Hemanth |title=KGF: Chapter 1 — Yash, director Prashanth Neel on their upcoming film, and taking cues from SS Rajamouli |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-chapter-1-yash-director-prashanth-neel-on-their-upcoming-film-and-taking-cues-from-ss-rajamouli-5738141.html |website=Firstpost |access-date=25 December 2018 |language=en |date=16 December 2018 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830133743/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-chapter-1-yash-director-prashanth-neel-on-their-upcoming-film-and-taking-cues-from-ss-rajamouli-5738141.html |url-status=live }}
The Kannada version of K.G.F: Chapter 1 was released on 20 December 2018 and the dubbed versions in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi released the next day.{{cn|date=November 2024}} The film received positive reviews from critics and dialogues from the film became famous worldwide. Due to this, the film performed well commercially and collected {{INRConvert|250|c|year=2018}} in its entire theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film until it was surpassed by its sequel. It turned out to be a cult hit. At the 66th National Film Awards, the film won two awards for Stunt Choreography and Best Special Effects.{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=192564|title=66th National Film Awards for 2018 announced|publisher=Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of Information & Broadcasting|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190810033848/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=192564|url-status=live}} At the 66th Filmfare Awards South, the film won two awards from five nominations, including the award for Best Film and Best Actor for Yash.
== Plot ==
Journalist Anand Ingalagi's book El Dorado, which detailed the events at the Kolar Gold Fields (K.G.F) between 1951 and 2018, was banned by the Indian government, but a television news channel procures a copy and interviews him.
In 1951, Raja "Rocky" Krishnappa Bairya was born to a poor, underage girl named Shanti. On the same day, government officials, accompanied by Suryavardhan, arrived to investigate a strange yellow rock discovered by workers digging a well in southern Mysore State. Upon realizing that the rock was gold ore, Suryavardhan, a powerful don and politician of the time, killed the officials and leased the land for 99 years under the pretext of running a limestone mine called Narachi, while secretly establishing K.G.F and his crime syndicate. To manage the empire, Suryavardhan had appointed five associates: Adheera, his ruthless younger brother, who headed the security at K.G.F; Kamal, son of Suryavardhan's late associate Bhargav, who looks after gold refinery in Varca; Rajendra Desai, who oversees the transportation of gold bars coming from the refinery; Andrews, who oversees the gold smuggling in the Western Coast; and Guru Pandian, president of the incumbent DYSS party who gave political influence to Suryavardhan. Suryavardhan suffers a stroke and appoints his elder son Garuda as the future heir of K.G.F, expecting Adheera to serve as his son's aide. His associates, now eyeing the riches of K.G.F, plan to assassinate Garuda. Adheera is presumed dead after Garuda bombs his car in retaliation for Adheera's unsuccessful assassination attempt.
Rocky arrives in Bombay as a ten-year-old on a quest for wealth and power as desired by his dying mother, and begins to work for Shetty, a gold smuggler and Andrews' underboss, who competes against a Dubai-based underworld don Inayat Khalil. Years later, he rises in ranks and oversees the arrival of gold bars to the Bombay coast. Andrews notices Rocky's influence has begun to rival Shetty's own, and offers Rocky complete control of the Bombay underworld in return for assassinating Garuda. Rocky accepts the offer and heads to Bangalore, where Suryavardhan's statue is built at the DYSS party office to lure Garuda out of K.G.F. Desai, Andrews, Kamal, and Andrews' secretary Daya covertly smuggle in a pistol for Rocky, but the attempt is foiled when they are spotted by Garuda's bodyguards. Garuda reveals he had replaced his father's statue with his own. Rocky, witnessing the authority and power that Garuda commands and seeing no other option to murder him, decides to journey to K.G.F. The workers in K.G.F, who are forcibly kidnapped from nearby villages, are subjected to inhumane conditions and treated as slaves. Rocky allows himself to be kidnapped and enters K.G.F with other slaves. Rocky stealthily accesses the map of the mine in the maintenance room during a roll call and narrowly escapes death after a fellow slave sacrifices himself to save the lives of his wife and unborn child. Andrews, Kamal and Desai are misinformed about the incident and assume Rocky is killed.
Although apathetic at first, he is moved by the cold-blooded murder of a mother and son by a guard. Rocky engages in a fight with an entire unit of twenty-three guards, killing each one of them to save a blind slave. With this act, Rocky emerges as a messiah in the slaves' eyes. He orders them to burn the guards' corpses to let Andrews and his men know he is still alive via their informants, Kulkarni and Garuda's younger brother Virat. Garuda prepares to leave his residence to investigate the fire and missing guards. To avert this, Virat smothers Suryavardhan to death, in order to sidetrack Garuda, who rushes back home. Rocky heads unsuspected through a tunnel from the mines to Garuda's mansion, following the map in the maintenance room.
Shaken by the recent bad turn of events, Garuda orders Maa Kaali's ritual, to be rescheduled from the following week to the next day. Garuda plans to kill his father's allies as soon as the ritual, where he has decided to behead three assassins (sent earlier to kill him) as offerings to the goddess, is completed. The next day, while preparations for the ritual are being made, Vanaram, the head of security, discovers one of the assassins dead inside his prison cell, and realizes someone has entered the mansion. As Garuda beheads two assassins, Rocky, who hid himself as the third assassin, emerges and beheads Garuda. The ecstatic slaves accept Rocky as their leader.
Ingalagi concludes that Rocky intentionally chose K.G.F as the location to assassinate Garuda, thereby inspiring an army of slaves to help him seize control. He indicates, however, that this is just the beginning. The news of Garuda's murder reaches Inayat Khalil and Ramika Sen, the to-be prime minister of India. Adheera, who is revealed to be alive, hears the news of Garuda's death and plans to resurface. All others at the K.G.F including Desai, Kamal, Andrews, Daya, Khalil and Shetty, were overjoyed by hearing the news. As Vanaram orders his men to attack Rocky and his army, a gunshot is heard.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Yash as Raja Krishnappa Bairya aka "Rocky"{{cite web |title='KGF – Chapter 1' film review: Introduces a new Superhero |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/dec/21/kgf---chapter-1-film-review-introduces-a-new-superhero-1914694.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725162542/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/dec/21/kgf---chapter-1-film-review-introduces-a-new-superhero-1914694.html |url-status=live }}
- Anmol Vijay as young Rocky{{cite news |title=Meet the younger version of Yash in KGF |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/08/meet-the-younger-version-of-yash-in-kgf-1908708.html |access-date=22 December 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |date=8 December 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725212959/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/08/meet-the-younger-version-of-yash-in-kgf-1908708.html |url-status=live }}
- Srinidhi Shetty as Reena Desai, Rajendra Desai's daughter and Rocky's girlfriend
- Vasishta N. Simha as Kamal, Reena's former fiance and a high-ranking associate at KGF
- Ramachandra Raju as Garuda, Suryavardhan's eldest son
- Archana Jois as Shanthamma, Rocky's mother{{cite web |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title='KGF – Chapter 1' film review: Introduces a new superhero |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/dec/21/kgf---chapter-1-film-review-introduces-a-new-superhero-1914694.html |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=23 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725162542/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2018/dec/21/kgf---chapter-1-film-review-introduces-a-new-superhero-1914694.html |url-status=live }}
- Anant Nag as Anand Ingalagi, the author of El Dorado
- Ashok Sharma as young Anand Ingalagi
- Achyuth Kumar as Guru Pandian, DYSS party president and a high-ranking associate at KGF, who gives political support to KGF
- Ramesh Indira as Suryavardhan, the founder of the KGF's political cult and father of Garuda and Virat
- Vinay Bidappa as Virat, Garuda's younger brother
- Lakki Lakshman as Rajendra Desai, Reena's father and a high-ranking associate at KGF
- B. S. Avinash as Andrews, Shetty's boss and a high-ranking associate at KGF
- Tarak Ponnappa as Daya, Andrews' secretary
- Dinesh Mangaluru as Shetty, Rocky's employer and a prominent gold smuggler
- Harish Rai as Khasim, Shetty's aide and Rocky's confidant
- Balakrishna as Inayat Khalil, a Dubai based don{{cn|date=November 2024}}
- T. S. Nagabharana as Srinivas, the owner of TV news channel 24/News
- Malavika Avinash as Deepa Hegde, the chief editor of 24/News
- Govinde Gowda as a peon at 24/News
- Mohan Juneja as Nagaraju, an informer to Ingalagi
- Ayyappa P. Sharma as Vanaram, commander of KGF
- John Kokken as John, overseer of KGF
- Puneeth Rudranag as Rugga, overseer at the KGF mines
- Neenasam Ashwath as Kulkarni
- B. Suresha as Vittal, a slave at KGF
- Srinivas Murthy as Narayan, a slave at KGF
- Yash Shetty as Shyam, archaeological department officer
- Lakshmipathi as Kencha, a slave at KGF, the storyteller
- Roopa Rayappa as Shanthi, a slave at KGF
- Krishnoji Rao as an old blind man working in KGF
- Surya Shekhar as Dilawar
- Sampath Maitreya as Shanti's husband
- Tamannaah Bhatia as Milky in the song "Jokae" (special appearance)
- Mouni Roy as Lucy in the song "Gali Gali" (special appearance; Hindi version)
}}
Production
= Pre-production =
Following the success of Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari (2014), Yash signed for four projects as of March 2015, including one with director Prashanth Neel (of Ugramm fame).{{cite news|title=Yash has signed four films|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-has-signed-four-films/articleshow/46476646.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|last1=Joy|first1=Prathibha|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170604/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-has-signed-four-films/articleshow/46476646.cms|url-status=live}} The project, KGF, about an ambitious man and his life in the 1970s, was considered to be one of the most expensive films in Kannada cinema. Hombale Films, the production house led by Vijay Kiragandur, bankrolled the project,{{cite news|title=Yash turns script doctor for his films|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-turns-script-doctor-for-his-films/articleshow/49148481.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165141/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-turns-script-doctor-for-his-films/articleshow/49148481.cms|url-status=live}} and one of its production executive Karthik Gowda, stated that "KGF, which is set in the 70s, took over one and a half years of pre-production, because they wanted to ensure they got every single detail right, be it the matchboxes, telephone, or the clothes people wore."{{cite news|title=Yash to shoot for most expensive film in July|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-to-shoot-for-most-expensive-film-in-July/articleshow/51322154.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165142/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-to-shoot-for-most-expensive-film-in-July/articleshow/51322154.cms|url-status=live}} The film's director, Prashanth Neel, stated that the film would be launched in April 2016, and the shooting would begin in May 2016. Ravi Basrur, who earlier scored music for the director's Ugramm, was hired for the project, while Bhuvan Gowda handled the cinematography.
In an interview with The Times of India, Prashanth Neel stated that he planned to split the film in two parts, as the narration of the story is in a non-linear format. The decision to split the film into two parts also had to do with its commercial prospects. He further added “The scale of the project is huge and we had a scope for a beginning, an interval, and an end for both parts, so it made sense for us to release it as two parts”. As for the decision to make it a multilingual release, he says that it was because the film is based on a unique idea and has a universal theme.{{cite news|title=Yash's 'KGF' is about a gangster's rise and fall|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yashs-kgf-is-about-a-gangsters-rise-and-fall/articleshow/65857374.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suganth|first1=M.|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504005911/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/yashs-kgf-is-about-a-gangsters-rise-and-fall/articleshow/65857374.cms|url-status=live}} About the rumours of doing KGF as a "Tamil version, with Suriya being roped in, but failing to do so", he stated that it was meant to be a Kannada film.{{cite news|title=KGF was always meant to be a Kannada film with Yash|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-was-always-meant-to-be-a-kannada-film-with-yash/articleshow/57960649.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165100/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-was-always-meant-to-be-a-kannada-film-with-yash/articleshow/57960649.cms|url-status=live}}
In December 2020, during the making of its second installment, Prasanth Neel denied rumours of a third installment in the KGF franchise, claiming that the story would conclude in its second part.{{cite news|title="There won't be a part 3 to 'K.G.F'": Director Prashanth Neel squashes every rumor regarding 'K.G.F: Chapter 3'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/there-wont-be-a-part-3-to-k-g-f-director-prashanth-neel-squashes-every-rumor-regarding-k-g-f-chapter-3/articleshow/79846127.cms|access-date=2021-01-10|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504005912/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/there-wont-be-a-part-3-to-k-g-f-director-prashanth-neel-squashes-every-rumor-regarding-k-g-f-chapter-3/articleshow/79846127.cms|url-status=live}}
= Development =
The film's cast consists mostly of completely new faces. The cast members sported rugged looks, given the subject and setting of the film. Yash grew his beard and long hair for his role as Rocky, a slick and a suave person of the 1970s.{{cite news|title=Is Yash growing his hair for KGF?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/is-yash-growing-his-hair-for-kgf/articleshow/56624583.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165138/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/is-yash-growing-his-hair-for-kgf/articleshow/56624583.cms|url-status=live}} Bangalore-based model Srinidhi Shetty, a winner of the Miss Supranational 2016, was cast alongside Yash.{{cite news|title=Hot pairs to look forward to in 2017|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/hot-pairs-to-look-forward-in-2017/articleshow/56442849.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165146/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/hot-pairs-to-look-forward-in-2017/articleshow/56442849.cms|url-status=live}} Srinidhi, a self-confessed fan of Yash, claimed that she had watched his films Drama and Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, and stated that he is one of the actors to whom she looks forward.{{Cite news|title=Yash to romance a beauty queen!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-to-romance-miss-supranational/articleshow/56238011.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=29 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129041900/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-to-romance-miss-supranational/articleshow/56238011.cms|url-status=live}} In August 2017, Vasishta Simha bagged a pivotal role in the film,{{cite web |title=Vasishta N Simha bags a pivotal role in KGF |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vasishta-n-simha-bags-a-pivotal-role-in-kgf/articleshow/60243550.cms |author=Sunayana Suresh |date=28 August 2017 |website=The Times of India |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922205426/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/vasishta-n-simha-bags-a-pivotal-role-in-kgf/articleshow/60243550.cms |url-status=live }} while Ramya Krishnan and Nassar were falsely reported to be a part of the film.{{cite web |title=KGF to be multilingual, will release in five languages |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-be-amultilingual-will-release-in-five-languages/articleshow/60257321.cms |author=Sunayana Suresh |date=29 August 2017 |website=The Times of India |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325205834/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-be-amultilingual-will-release-in-five-languages/articleshow/60257321.cms |url-status=live }}
In July 2016, the filmmakers kick-started a 15-day schedule in North Karnataka, without Yash, as the actor was shooting for Santhu Straight Forward (2016). The first schedule of the film took place on a huge set, which took more than 35–40 days to construct.{{cite news|title=Yash's movie to begin, but without him!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/KGF-to-begin-without-Yash/articleshow/52775894.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165101/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/KGF-to-begin-without-Yash/articleshow/52775894.cms|url-status=live}} The film was slated to take off earlier that year, but was pushed back because of problems surrounding the Kalasa Banduri issue, which meant the team had to cancel its initial shoot schedule plans. The schedule was further complicated by Yash's break from shooting films, in order to focus on his wedding to Radhika Pandit, which was held in Bangalore in December 2016.{{cite news|title=Yash to take a break to focus on his wedding|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-to-take-a-break-to-focus-on-his-wedding/articleshow/55285027.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204023547/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/Yash-to-take-a-break-to-focus-on-his-wedding/articleshow/55285027.cms|url-status=live}}
= Filming =
The film's shooting began on 15 January 2017,{{cite news |last= |first= |date=15 January 2017 |title=Yash-starrer KGF starts as per schedule |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/mar/16/yash-starrer-kgf-starts-as-per-schedule-1581753.html |access-date=25 December 2018 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409172747/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/mar/16/yash-starrer-kgf-starts-as-per-schedule-1581753.html |url-status=live }} after completing the final stages of pre-production.{{cite news|title=Yash's most expensive film is ready to roll|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yashs-most-expensive-film-is-ready-to-roll/articleshow/56121749.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203175432/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yashs-most-expensive-film-is-ready-to-roll/articleshow/56121749.cms|url-status=live}} On 25 January 2017, the filmmakers erected huge sets at Badami, to replicate Kolar in the period of 1970–80, thereby filming extensively in the location.{{cite news|title=KGF to be shot in Badami|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/KGF-to-be-shot-in-badami/articleshow/56773121.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165137/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/KGF-to-be-shot-in-badami/articleshow/56773121.cms|url-status=live}} The art director Shivakumar recreated the Kolar Gold Fields film set of the 1980s and VFX was used as an extension for the film.{{cite news |last1=Shinde |first1=Prajwal |title=Art director and VFX responsible for KGF's larger than life visuals |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/oct/27/trio-of-technical-wizards--makes-kgf--best-in-longest-time-1685111.html |access-date=27 October 2018 |work=Indian Express |date=3 March 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017230857/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/oct/27/trio-of-technical-wizards--makes-kgf--best-in-longest-time-1685111.html |url-status=live }} Aware that a freak accident happened at the sets of Masti Gudi (2017), claiming the lives of two actors, producer Kirangadur secured an insurance cover for the crew members working on the film.{{cite news|title=Insurance cover for all crew members in Yash's KGF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/insurance-cover-for-all-crew-members-in-yashs-kgf/articleshow/57829367.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Desai|first1=Dhwani|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031634/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/insurance-cover-for-all-crew-members-in-yashs-kgf/articleshow/57829367.cms|url-status=live}} As of 25 June 2017, the project was 50 percent complete, and production had restarted after sets were rebuilt, following their destruction by heavy rains.{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A |title=Storm or shine, Rocking star Yash's KGF stays on schedule |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/jun/25/storm-or-shine--yashs-kgf--stays-on-schedule-1620820.html |access-date=30 June 2017 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=25 June 2017 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107045920/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/jun/25/storm-or-shine--yashs-kgf--stays-on-schedule-1620820.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=KGF shoot continues despite heavy rains|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-shoot-continues-despite-heavy-rains/articleshow/59319030.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170605/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-shoot-continues-despite-heavy-rains/articleshow/59319030.cms|url-status=live}}
As a part of the film's shoot, the filmmakers painted a portion of the Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, which is located on the campus of University of Mysore. Some sequences of the movie, which has Yash and Srinidhi Shetty in the lead roles, were also shot at the centenary clock tower located next to the campus.{{cite news|title=KGF team gives heritage structure Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion a facelift|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-team-gives-heritage-structure-jayalakshmi-vilas-mansion-a-facelift/articleshow/60409761.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Lokesh|first1=Vinay|archive-date=8 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208075314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-team-gives-heritage-structure-jayalakshmi-vilas-mansion-a-facelift/articleshow/60409761.cms|url-status=live}} Yash entered the final schedule of the film in April 2018.{{cite news|title=Yash heads to final schedule of KGF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-heads-to-final-schedule-of-kgf/articleshow/63881144.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170606/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-heads-to-final-schedule-of-kgf/articleshow/63881144.cms|url-status=live}} In May 2018, actors Malavika Avinash and Anant Nag filmed the interview sequence, one of the major scenes in the film's storyline.{{cite news|title=Malavika Avinash and Ananth Nag shoot for KGF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/malavika-avinash-and-ananth-nag-shoot-for-kgf/articleshow/64189481.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=14 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214220945/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/malavika-avinash-and-ananth-nag-shoot-for-kgf/articleshow/64189481.cms|url-status=live}} At the end of the month, Yash had announced that he had completed his portions, and started dubbing for the film. As of May 2018, the filmmakers completed major portions of the film, except one song.{{cite news|title=Yash completes shoot for KGF; starts dubbing for it|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-completes-shoot-for-kgf-starts-dubbing-for-it/articleshow/64355177.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-completes-shoot-for-kgf-starts-dubbing-for-it/articleshow/64355177.cms|url-status=live}}
In August 2018, Kajal Aggarwal was reported to shoot for a song sequence, thus marking her debut in Kannada.{{cite news|title=Kajal Aggarwal to make Kannada debut with KGF?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kajal-aggarwal-to-make-kannada-debut-with-kgf/articleshow/65269642.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162405/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kajal-aggarwal-to-make-kannada-debut-with-kgf/articleshow/65269642.cms|url-status=live}} However, on 9 August, Tamannaah Bhatia was hired for a song number,{{cite news|title=Tamannah Bhatia to make a return to Kannada cinema with a special appearance in 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamannah-bhatia-to-make-a-return-to-kannada-cinema-with-a-special-appearance-in-kgf/articleshow/65291841.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170607/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamannah-bhatia-to-make-a-return-to-kannada-cinema-with-a-special-appearance-in-kgf/articleshow/65291841.cms|url-status=live}} thus marking her second film appearance in Kannada, after Jaguar (2016).{{cite news|title=Tamannaah sizzles with Yash in a recreated classic in KGF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamannaah-sizzles-with-yash-in-a-recreated-classic-in-kgf/articleshow/65323058.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165135/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamannaah-sizzles-with-yash-in-a-recreated-classic-in-kgf/articleshow/65323058.cms|url-status=live}} On 17 August 2018, the filmmakers announced that shooting of the film had wrapped,{{cite news|title=Yash wraps up work on director Prashant Neel's 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-wraps-up-work-on-director-prashant-neels-kgf/articleshow/65422322.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-wraps-up-work-on-director-prashant-neels-kgf/articleshow/65422322.cms|url-status=live}} although another song shoot for the film's Hindi version, featuring Yash and Mouni Roy,{{cite news|title=Mouni Roy roped in for a special song in Yash starrer 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/mouni-roy-roped-in-for-a-special-song-in-yash-starrer-kgf/articleshow/66972850.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417165139/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/mouni-roy-roped-in-for-a-special-song-in-yash-starrer-kgf/articleshow/66972850.cms|url-status=live}} took place at the Goregaon Studio on 7 and 8 December.{{cite news|title=Pictures: Mouni Roy and Yash wrap shoot of their song in 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/pictures-mouni-roy-and-yash-wrap-shoot-of-their-song-in-kgf/articleshow/67026929.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=17 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417170606/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/pictures-mouni-roy-and-yash-wrap-shoot-of-their-song-in-kgf/articleshow/67026929.cms|url-status=live}}
Themes and influences
In an interview with director Prashanth Neel for The Times of India about the theme of the film, he stated "'KGF' has a strong texture of gold in it, which is about greed and gold. KGF, in many ways, is akin to El Dorado. The way kings and soldiers have over the years gone looking for the mythical El Dorado, where anyone who lays claim to the place ruled the world. This is what Anant Nag (narrator) says in the film, too.”{{cite news|title='KGF is about greed and gold'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-is-about-greed-and-gold/articleshow/65855885.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205111914/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-is-about-greed-and-gold/articleshow/65855885.cms|url-status=live}} Prashant explains about the setting of the film in 1970–80, stating, "In 1978, because of the Cold War between the USA and the erstwhile Soviet Union that had affected places like Iran and Afghanistan, the price of gold went up the highest in the recorded history. Till date, one cannot find another time when the price of gold shot up so much. So, 1978 was the perfect setting for us, because the higher the price of gold, the higher the greed of men.” The film was also inspired by action films and western films{{citation|last=Nathan|first=Archana|title=Kannada film 'KGF' dreams big: 'Cinema is becoming pan-Indian and international'|date=2018-12-18|url=https://scroll.in/reel/906039/kannada-film-kgf-dreams-big-cinema-is-becoming-pan-indian-and-international|work=Scroll|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-date=18 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618223103/https://scroll.in/reel/906039/kannada-film-kgf-dreams-big-cinema-is-becoming-pan-indian-and-international|url-status=live}} like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and For a Few Dollars More.{{citation|last=A|first=Shraddha|title=I wondered if I could pull off a project as big as KGF|date=2018-12-13|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/13/i-wondered-if-i-could-pull-off-a-project-as-big-as-kgf-1910707.html|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217142624/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/13/i-wondered-if-i-could-pull-off-a-project-as-big-as-kgf-1910707.html|url-status=live}}
Music
{{Main|KGF: Chapter 1 (soundtrack)}}
Ravi Basrur composed the soundtrack album and the film's score, while Tanishk Bagchi remastered the track "Gali Gali" from Tridev (1989) for the film's Hindi version.{{cite news |title=KGF Chapter 1 Song Gali Gali: Mouni Roy Headlines the Remixed Tridev Song |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-chapter-1-song-gali-gali-mouni-roy-headlines-the-remixed-tridev-song-1972393.html |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=News18 |date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=13 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113125824/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-chapter-1-song-gali-gali-mouni-roy-headlines-the-remixed-tridev-song-1972393.html |url-status=live }} The audio rights of the film were purchased by Lahari Music in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam for {{INRConvert|3.6|c|year=2018}}, a record sum for any South Indian film; the Hindi version's audio rights were bought by T-Series.{{cite news |last1=Khajane |first1=Muralidhara |title='KGF' audio rights sold for record sum |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/kgf-audio-rights-sold-for-record-sum/article25593109.ece |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=26 November 2018 |language=en-IN |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603173936/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/kgf-audio-rights-sold-for-record-sum/article25593109.ece |url-status=live }}
The track "Salaam Rocky Bhai" served as the lead single from the soundtrack album.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=30 November 2018|title=First single from KGF album to be out on Friday|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/nov/30/first-single-from-kgf-album-to-be-out-on-monday-9021.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Cinema Express|language=en|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112013017/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/nov/30/first-single-from-kgf-album-to-be-out-on-monday-9021.html|url-status=live}} It was released in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam on 7 December 2018,{{cn|date=November 2024}} along with the full soundtrack album;{{cite news|last=|first=|date=|title='KGF' full album out now|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-release-first-song-today/articleshow/66919769.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070017/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-release-first-song-today/articleshow/66919769.cms|url-status=live}} the album for the Hindi version was released on 9 December 2018. The karaoke versions of the songs were released on 27 December 2018.
The film's score was released in two volumes; the first volume of the original soundtrack was released on 10 September 2019, and the second volume was released on 12 October 2019.
Marketing
The first look of the film was released on 3 May 2017.{{cite news|title=First look of Yash's KGF out today!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/first-look-of-yashs-kgf-out-today/articleshow/58492923.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504065343/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/first-look-of-yashs-kgf-out-today/articleshow/58492923.cms|url-status=live}} On 8 January 2018, coinciding with Yash's birthday, a one-minute long introductory teaser, with Ananth Nag narrating, was unveiled by the production team.{{cite news|title=Ananth Nag gives a peek into Yash's character in KGF today|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ananth-nag-gives-a-peek-into-yashs-character-in-kgf-today/articleshow/62401899.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504071359/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ananth-nag-gives-a-peek-into-yashs-character-in-kgf-today/articleshow/62401899.cms|url-status=live}} After responding to a fan's request, Yash announced that the film's trailer would be released in October 2018.{{cite news|title='KGF': Rocking Star Yash reveals film's trailer to be out in October|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-rocking-star-yash-reveals-films-trailer-to-be-out-in-october/articleshow/65609656.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070819/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-rocking-star-yash-reveals-films-trailer-to-be-out-in-october/articleshow/65609656.cms|url-status=live}} Farhan Akhtar shared the first look on 6 November 2018 and a second one on 8 November on the occasion of Diwali.{{cite web|last=Chaubey|first=Pranita|date=8 November 2018|title=Trending: New Poster Of KGF Introduces Us To The 'Bloody Mines Of Kolar'|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/trending-new-poster-of-kfg-introduces-us-to-the-bloody-mines-of-kolar-1944622|access-date=2 August 2021|website=NDTV|archive-date=2 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802140104/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/trending-new-poster-of-kfg-introduces-us-to-the-bloody-mines-of-kolar-1944622|url-status=live}} The official trailer of the film was released on 9 November 2018.{{cite web|date=10 November 2018|title=KGF trailer out: Yash stars in biggest Kannada film ever made|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-trailer-yash-1385765-2018-11-10|access-date=24 November 2018|website=indiatoday.in|archive-date=18 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818051740/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-trailer-yash-1385765-2018-11-10|url-status=live}} The trailer crossed more than one million views within an hour of its release.{{cite news|title=The intriguing KGF Telugu trailer trends at #1 with 2.3M views|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/the-intriguing-kgf-telugu-trailer-trends-at-1-with-2-3m-views/articleshow/66564942.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Nyayapati|first1=Neeshita|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070816/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/the-intriguing-kgf-telugu-trailer-trends-at-1-with-2-3m-views/articleshow/66564942.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=KGF's Hindi trailer gets close to 6 million hits in less than 24 hours|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgfs-hindi-trailer-gets-close-to-6-million-hits-in-less-than-24-hours/articleshow/66566255.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331122934/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgfs-hindi-trailer-gets-close-to-6-million-hits-in-less-than-24-hours/articleshow/66566255.cms|url-status=live}}
Special promotions were planned on 4 December in Chennai, and 6 December in Hyderabad.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=30 November 2018|title=KGF promotions in full swing|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/nov/30/first-single-from-kgf-album-to-be-out-on-monday-9021.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Cinema Express|language=en|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112013017/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2018/nov/30/first-single-from-kgf-album-to-be-out-on-monday-9021.html|url-status=live}} On 9 December 2018, the makers hosted a pre-release event at the JRC Convention Centre in Hyderabad to promote the film's Telugu version. S. S. Rajamouli graced the event as the chief guest.{{cn|date=November 2024}} As a part of the film's promotion, an online game, KGF, specially designed for Android mobile phones, was released by Mobi2Fun Private Limited for the Google Play Store, which saw more than 5,000 downloads upon its initial release.{{cite web|title=With online 'KGF' game, Yash fans go extra mile to set 'Rocky bhai' free|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/25/with-a-game-plan-kgf-fans-go-extra-mile-to-set-rocky-free-1916424.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The New Indian Express|date=26 December 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208125416/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/25/with-a-game-plan-kgf-fans-go-extra-mile-to-set-rocky-free-1916424.html|url-status=live}}
Release
=Theatrical=
On 28 August 2017, the filmmakers announced that KGF will be made as a multilingual film, released in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi languages, marking the first foray of its crew members (including Yash) into different industries.{{cite news|title=KGF to be a multilingual, will release in five languages|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-be-amultilingual-will-release-in-five-languages/articleshow/60257321.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Suresh|first1=Sunayana|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626150038/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-be-amultilingual-will-release-in-five-languages/articleshow/60257321.cms|url-status=live}} The filmmakers planned to release the film in the second half of 2018. On 19 September 2018,{{cite news|title='KGF' release date to be announced on 19 September|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-release-date-to-be-announced-on-19-september/articleshow/65770601.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070018/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-release-date-to-be-announced-on-19-september/articleshow/65770601.cms|url-status=live}} it was announced that the first part of the film will be released on 16 November 2018;{{cite web|title=Five-language release for KGF in November|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/sep/19/five-language-release-for-kgf-in-november-1873887.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The New Indian Express|date=19 September 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208153820/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/sep/19/five-language-release-for-kgf-in-november-1873887.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Tamil star Vishal to announce 'KGF' trailer release date|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamil-star-vishal-to-announce-kgf-trailer-release-date/articleshow/65873470.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504065342/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamil-star-vishal-to-announce-kgf-trailer-release-date/articleshow/65873470.cms|url-status=live}} however, the release was postponed to 21 December.{{cite news|title='KGF' release postponed to December|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-release-postponed-to-december/articleshow/66137174.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330054912/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-release-postponed-to-december/articleshow/66137174.cms|url-status=live}}
= YouTube =
KGF Chapter 1 also release his Hindi dubbed version on YouTube channel Goldmines Telefilms. the Hindi dubbed version crossed more than 750 million views.{{Citation |title=K.G.F Full Movie {{!}} Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, Ananth Nag, Ramachandra Raju, Achyuth Kumar, Malavika | date=13 December 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEQb_l-N08 |access-date=2024-01-12 |language=en |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112134427/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEQb_l-N08 |url-status=live }}
= Distribution =
The distribution rights for the Kannada version were bought by KRG Studios, a sister company of Hombale Films. The film's Hindi version was distributed by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, and Anil Thadani,{{cn|date=November 2024}} who bought the rights under their banners Excel Entertainment and AA Films.{{cite news|title=KGF gets major boost as Farhan Akhtar partners for Hindi version of the film|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-gets-major-boost-as-farhan-akhtar-partners-for-hindi-version-of-the-film/articleshow/66148048.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|last1=Joy|first1=Prathibha|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205023043/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-gets-major-boost-as-farhan-akhtar-partners-for-hindi-version-of-the-film/articleshow/66148048.cms|url-status=live}} The rights for the Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions were sold to Vishal Film Factory and Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram.{{cite news|title='KGF' sells Tamil and Telugu dubbing rights|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-sells-tamil-and-telugu-dubbing-rights/articleshow/66546636.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504073833/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-sells-tamil-and-telugu-dubbing-rights/articleshow/66546636.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Leading distributors bag Tamil, Telugu rights to KGF |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/nov/08/leading-distributors-bag-tamil-telugu-rights-to-kgf-1895344.html |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |date=8 November 2018 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922234627/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/nov/08/leading-distributors-bag-tamil-telugu-rights-to-kgf-1895344.html |url-status=live }} The Malayalam-dubbed rights of the film were sold to Global United Media.{{cite news|title='KGF: Chapter 1' to release in 1800 to 2000 theaters across the country|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-to-release-in-1800-to-2000-theaters-across-the-country/articleshow/67128468.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070819/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-to-release-in-1800-to-2000-theaters-across-the-country/articleshow/67128468.cms|url-status=live}}
= Screenings and statistics =
K.G.F: Chapter 1 received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification in early December 2018.{{cite web |title=Yash is like a brother from another mother: Vishal |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/yash-brother-from-another-mother-vishal-kgf-5500142/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=23 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=19 December 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820020041/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/yash-brother-from-another-mother-vishal-kgf-5500142/ |url-status=live }} It was reported that the film would be released to 1,800–2,200 screens worldwide,{{cite news |title=Yash's multilingual 'KGF' to hit 2,000 screens across the country |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/15/kgf----chapter-1--to-hit-2000-screens-across-the-country-1911670.html |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820020041/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/15/kgf----chapter-1--to-hit-2000-screens-across-the-country-1911670.html |url-status=live }} the widest ever release for a Kannada film.{{cite news |first=Himesh |last=Mankad |author-link=Himesh Mankad |title=K.G.F: Chapter 1, starring Yash, Srinidhi Shetty, to release on 2200 screens across India |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/k-g-f-chapter-1-starring-yash-srinidhi-shetty-to-release-on-2200-screens-across-india/articleshow/67177621.cms |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820020040/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/k-g-f-chapter-1-starring-yash-srinidhi-shetty-to-release-on-2200-screens-across-india/articleshow/67177621.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Yash's KGF to hit 2,000 screens across the country |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yashs-kgf-to-hit-2000-screens-across-the-country/articleshow/67113112.cms |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820020854/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yashs-kgf-to-hit-2000-screens-across-the-country/articleshow/67113112.cms |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=400 theatres in Karnataka, 1500 in country: Yash's 'KGF' set for big release |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/400-theatres-karnataka-1500-country-yash-s-kgf-set-big-release-93685 |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The News Minute |date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820020040/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/400-theatres-karnataka-1500-country-yash-s-kgf-set-big-release-93685 |url-status=live }} However, it was later reported that the film was released to 2,460 screens, including 1,500 for the Hindi version, 400 each for Kannada and Telugu, 100 for Tamil and 60 for Malayalam.{{cite news |title=KGF box office collection Day 1: Yash film earns Rs 18.1 crore |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-yash-5504127/ |access-date=22 December 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=22 December 2018 |language=en-IN |archive-date=22 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222065925/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-yash-5504127/ |url-status=live }}
The advance booking for the shows were started on 16 December 2018,{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} and saw a tremendous response upon its initial bookings.{{cite web|last=Ratda|first=Khushboo|title=Yash starrer KGF gets a historic advance booking at the South Indian box office|url=https://regional.pinkvilla.com/kannada/news/yash-starrer-kgf-gets-historic-advance-booking-south-indian-box-office/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Pinkvilla|language=en-US|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124112731/https://regional.pinkvilla.com/kannada/news/yash-starrer-kgf-gets-historic-advance-booking-south-indian-box-office/|url-status=live}} Following its response, the filmmakers allotted early morning shows at 4:00 a.m. for the preview.{{cite news|title=4 am show for KGF in Bengaluru tomorrow!|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/4-am-shows-for-kgf-in-bengaluru-tomorrow/articleshow/67175668.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=10 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410213351/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/4-am-shows-for-kgf-in-bengaluru-tomorrow/articleshow/67175668.cms|url-status=live}} The film was released in the U.S. and Canada on 20 December 2018 and in India the following day.{{cite news |title=Yash's 'KGF' to release in more than 1,800 screens across the country |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-release-more-1800-screens-across-country-93512https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-release-more-1800-screens-across-country-93512 |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=The News Minute |date=17 December 2018 |archive-date=22 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122114005/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-release-more-1800-screens-across-country-93512https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-release-more-1800-screens-across-country-93512 |url-status=live }} The day also saw releases in parts of Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and parts of Eastern Europe, including Cyprus, the first in these regions for a Kannada film.{{cite news |title=KGF collection Day 2: Yash's magnum opus works its magic at the box office |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-kgf-box-office-collection-day-2-5505351/ |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=23 December 2018 |language=en-IN |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223044954/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-kgf-box-office-collection-day-2-5505351/ |url-status=live }} The film released in Malaysia on 28 December and in United Kingdom on 4 January 2019.{{cite web|title=KGF: Chapter 1 Box Office Collection Day 18: Yash's film makes it to Rs 200 crore club|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-chapter-1-box-office-collection-day-18-yash-film-makes-rs-200-crore-club/story/307950.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=8 January 2019|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416215243/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-chapter-1-box-office-collection-day-18-yash-film-makes-rs-200-crore-club/story/307950.html|url-status=live}}
The Hindi-dubbed version of the film was released to 71 screens in Pakistan on 11 January and became the first Kannada film to be released there, although Lucia (2013) was screened at film festivals and had no theatrical release in the country.{{cite news |title=Yash-starrer KGF becomes first Kannada film to release in Pakistan |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2019/jan/13/yash-starrer-kgf-released-in-pakistan-1924639.html |access-date=17 January 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=13 January 2019 |archive-date=17 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117172746/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2019/jan/13/yash-starrer-kgf-released-in-pakistan-1924639.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Rocky Bhai gets a thumbs up in Pakistan |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2019/jan/15/rocky-bhai-gets-a-thumbs-up-in-pakistan-1925085.html |access-date=17 January 2019 |work=The New Indian Express |date=15 January 2019 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116034851/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2019/jan/15/rocky-bhai-gets-a-thumbs-up-in-pakistan-1925085.html |url-status=dead }}
= Film festivals =
KGF was screened at the 11th Bengaluru International Film Festival on 28 February 2019, where it received an award for the Best Picture in the Entertainment category, and was adjudged the most popular Kannada film by the jury members.{{cite news|title='KGF' and 'Mookajjiya Kanasu' take top honours at 11th International Film Festival|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-and-mookajjiya-kanasu-take-top-honours-at-11th-international-film-festival/articleshow/68231403.cms|access-date=2021-01-11|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201063843/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-and-mookajjiya-kanasu-take-top-honours-at-11th-international-film-festival/articleshow/68231403.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=KGF is most popular Kannada film at BIFFes|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/mar/01/kgf-is-most-popular-kannada-film-at-biffes-1945177.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=The New Indian Express|date=March 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208134142/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/mar/01/kgf-is-most-popular-kannada-film-at-biffes-1945177.html|url-status=live}}
= Lawsuit =
On 20 December 2018, the 10th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court in Bengaluru had passed an interim stay before the film's release, following two petitions, filed by Venkatesh G, Yogesh and Ratan, citing plagiarism allegations, and also accusing the filmmakers of portraying Kolar's history in a poor light.{{cite web|date=2018-12-20|title=Bengaluru court stays KGF release|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/bengaluru-court-stays-yash-kgf-release-5502925/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624060700/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/bengaluru-court-stays-yash-kgf-release-5502925/|url-status=live}} However, the producer Kiragandur stated that the film will be released on the said date, and asked fans to avoid rumours.{{cite web|date=December 21, 2018|title=Producer says 'KGF' will be released despite court stay|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/producer-says-kgf-will-be-released-despite-court-stay/articleshow/67184886.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063912/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/producer-says-kgf-will-be-released-despite-court-stay/articleshow/67184886.cms|url-status=live}} On 27 December 2018, the filmmakers issued a statement that the shows in Australia were cancelled due to an unauthorized screening, as the distributors of the film did not consult the producers of the original.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}
= Piracy =
On 18 December 2018, a few scenes from the film were leaked onto social networking sites,{{cite web|date=December 18, 2018|title=Yash's KGF movie leaked online even before release?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-s-kgf-movie-leaked-online-even-before-release-1411789-2018-12-18|access-date=2021-01-09|website=India Today|language=en|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208151514/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-s-kgf-movie-leaked-online-even-before-release-1411789-2018-12-18|url-status=live}} although Karthik Gowda, the executive producer, labeled it a rumour and clarified that the filmmakers have created a team to fight against online piracy.{{cite news|title=Yash starrer 'KGF' to fight against online piracy|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-starrer-kgf-to-fight-against-online-piracy/articleshow/67143370.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504065307/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-starrer-kgf-to-fight-against-online-piracy/articleshow/67143370.cms|url-status=live}} Despite preventative measures, pirated versions of the film were made available before its release.{{cite news |title=Yash starrer 'KGF' to fight against online piracy |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-starrer-kgf-to-fight-against-online-piracy/articleshow/67143370.cms |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=The Times of India |language=en |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504065307/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/yash-starrer-kgf-to-fight-against-online-piracy/articleshow/67143370.cms |url-status=live }} In May 2020, the producers sued a local television channel for premiering the film's Telugu version illegally.{{cite news|title='KGF: Chapter 1': Makers of Yash starrer to sue a local channel for airing the film illegally|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-makers-of-yash-starrer-to-sue-a-local-channel-for-airing-the-film-illegally/articleshow/75642397.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116023035/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-makers-of-yash-starrer-to-sue-a-local-channel-for-airing-the-film-illegally/articleshow/75642397.cms|url-status=live}}
= Home media =
The film's digital rights were sold to Amazon Prime Video for {{INRConvert|18|c|year=2019}},{{citation|title=KGF to stream on Amazon Prime Video from February 5|date=2019-02-05|url=https://www.indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-chapter-1-amazon-prime-india-5567827/lite/|work=Indian Express|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=26 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826031826/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-chapter-1-amazon-prime-india-5567827/lite/|url-status=live}} and premiered on 5 February 2019, along with its dubbed versions.{{cite web|date=2019-02-04|title=Amazon Prime announces release date for 'KGF', fans delighted|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/amazon-prime-announces-release-date-kgf-fans-delighted-96159|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516072322/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/amazon-prime-announces-release-date-kgf-fans-delighted-96159|url-status=live}} Colors Kannada bought the satellite rights for an undisclosed record price,{{citation|title=KGF digital rights sold to Amazon Prime for Rs 18 crore, Colors Kannada buys satellite rights|date=2018-12-27|url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/kgf-digital-rights-sold-to-amazon-prime-for-rs-18-crore-colors-kannada-buys-satellite-rights-pke8er|work=Asianet Newsable|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805071106/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/kgf-digital-rights-sold-to-amazon-prime-for-rs-18-crore-colors-kannada-buys-satellite-rights-pke8er|url-status=live}} and hosted its premiere on 30 March 2019.{{cite news|title=KGF world television premiere on March 30|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kgf-world-television-premiere-on-march-30/articleshow/68437105.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504065306/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/kannada/kgf-world-television-premiere-on-march-30/articleshow/68437105.cms|url-status=live}} The Tamil version of the film was telecast through Colors Tamil on 7 April.{{cite web|date=2019-04-06|title='KGF: Chapter 1' Tamil will have its Television premier on April 7|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kgf-chapter-1-tamil-will-have-its-television-premier-april-7-99559|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226010246/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kgf-chapter-1-tamil-will-have-its-television-premier-april-7-99559|url-status=live}} Sony Pictures Networks acquired the satellite rights of the Hindi version.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
The film's Telugu version was premiered on Star Maa on 5 July 2020,{{cite web|date=2020-07-03|title=Telugu dubbed version of KGF: Chapter 1 all set for television premiere|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-dubbed-version-of-kgf-chapter-1-all-set-for-television-premiere/story-gQqjIQt4vYE6OByyw2ToDJ.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116194213/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/telugu-dubbed-version-of-kgf-chapter-1-all-set-for-television-premiere/story-gQqjIQt4vYE6OByyw2ToDJ.html|url-status=live}} and registered an average TRP rating of 11.9, with many citing the delay of the premiere for more than 18 months after the theatrical release date.{{cite web|last=Manjula|date=2020-07-20|title=Mahesh Beats Yash: Sarileru Neekevvaru TRP Ratings Overtake KGF Chapter 1|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/mahesh-babu-beats-yash-sarileru-neekevvaru-trp-ratings-overtake-kgf-chapter-1-634632|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.thehansindia.com|language=en|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124174131/https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/mahesh-babu-beats-yash-sarileru-neekevvaru-trp-ratings-overtake-kgf-chapter-1-634632|url-status=live}} The Malayalam version of the movie was jointly purchased by Asianet and Kairali TV. The movie premiered on Asianet and Kairali TV on 14 December 2020.
= Re-release =
The film was re-released in the United States to 35 locations on 31 January 2019, becoming the first Kannada film to be re-released in the country.{{cite web|date=2019-02-01|title=Yash's 'KGF' to re-release in the US|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-re-release-us-96068|access-date=2021-01-11|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305200834/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-kgf-re-release-us-96068|url-status=live}} On 1 November 2019, coinciding with the occasion of Karnataka Rajyotsava, the filmmakers re-released the film at 25–30 centres across Karnataka, with a week run during its release.{{cite news|title='KGF: Chapter 1' to be re-released on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-to-be-re-released-on-the-occasion-of-kannada-rajyotsava/articleshow/71821595.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|archive-date=20 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220205405/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-1-to-be-re-released-on-the-occasion-of-kannada-rajyotsava/articleshow/71821595.cms|url-status=live}} The film's Hindi version was re-released in PVR, Inox and Cinepolis theatres, on 23–29 October 2020.{{cite web|date=2020-10-24|title=Yash's KGF to re-release in theatres|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-blockbuster-kgf-to-re-release-in-theatres-6852976/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203211954/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/yash-blockbuster-kgf-to-re-release-in-theatres-6852976/|url-status=live}}
Reception
= Box office =
{{see also|List of highest-grossing Indian films}}
On the first day of its release, KGF: Chapter 1 collected {{INRConvert|25|c|year=2018}} worldwide,{{cite web|url=https://m.businesstoday.in/lite/story/kgf-box-collection-day-1-yash-film-earns-rs-2-crore-on-its-first-day-despite-competition-from-shah-rukh-khan-zero/1/303359.html|title=KGF box collection day 1: Yash's film earns Rs 25 crore on its first day despite competition from Shah Rukh Khan's Zero|website=m.businesstoday.in|date=22 December 2018|access-date=15 March 2021|archive-date=22 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122114124/https://www.businesstoday.in/amp/trending/box-office/story/kgf-box-collection-day-1-yash-film-earns-rs-25-crore-on-its-first-day-despite-competition-from-shah-rukh-khan-zero-126455-2018-12-22|url-status=live}} which was the highest opening in the Kannada cinema. In Karnataka's capital Bengaluru alone, the film earned about {{INRConvert|5|c|year=2018}} on the first day.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-box-collection-day-1-yash-s-film-opens-well-but-it-is-no-baahubali-1415091-2018-12-22 |title=KGF box collection day 1: Yash's film opens well but it is no Baahubali |website=India Today |date=22 December 2018 |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208175501/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-box-collection-day-1-yash-s-film-opens-well-but-it-is-no-baahubali-1415091-2018-12-22 |url-status=live }} The film registered a gross of {{INRConvert|59.61|c|year=2018}} at the worldwide box office on its first three days, becoming the fastest Kannada film to gross {{INRConvert|50|c|year=2018}}.{{cite web|date=2018-12-24|title=KGF box office collection Day 3: Yash starrer earns Rs 59.61 crore|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/box-office-collection/yash-kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-5506252/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122033047/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/box-office-collection/yash-kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-5506252/|url-status=live}} The film grossed around {{INRConvert|113|c|year=2018}} worldwide in the first week of its release,{{cite web|title=Yash-starrer 'KGF' strikes gold, first Kannada movie in Rs 100 crore club|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/27/kgf-strikes-gold-first-kannada-movie-in-rs-100-cr-club-1917130.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The New Indian Express|date=28 December 2018 |archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208151310/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/27/kgf-strikes-gold-first-kannada-movie-in-rs-100-cr-club-1917130.html|url-status=live}} becoming the first Kannada film to gross {{INRConvert|100|c|year=2018}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-box-office-collection-day-7-yash-starrer-inches-towards-rs-150-crore-mark-1418731-2018-12-28|title=KGF box office collection Day 7: Yash-starrer inches towards Rs 150-crore mark|date=December 28, 2018|website=India Today|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207105905/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-box-office-collection-day-7-yash-starrer-inches-towards-rs-150-crore-mark-1418731-2018-12-28|url-status=live}} On 9 January 2019, trade analysts announced that the film entered the {{INRConvert|200|c|year=2019}} mark, thus becoming the first Kannada film to do so.{{cite web|date=2019-01-08|title=Yash's KGF Enters Rs 200 Crore Club, First Kannada Film to Do So|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/yashs-kgf-enters-rs-200-crore-club-first-kannada-film-to-do-so-1995039.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807095307/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/yashs-kgf-enters-rs-200-crore-club-first-kannada-film-to-do-so-1995039.html|url-status=live}}{{citation|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-becomes-first-kannada-film-to-break-into-rs-200-cr-club-njan-prakashan-declared-blockbuster-5862501.html/amp|title=KGF becomes first Kannada film to break into Rs 200 cr club; Njan Prakashan declared blockbuster|date=2019-01-09|archive-date=2019-01-13|work=Firstpost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113152018/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-becomes-first-kannada-film-to-break-into-rs-200-cr-club-njan-prakashan-declared-blockbuster-5862501.html/amp}} It went on to gross around {{INRConvert|250|c|year=2019}} and completed a theatrical run of over 100 days in a couple of centres in Karnataka.{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/kgf-movie-chapter-1-chapter-2-cast-trailer-box-office/1534562/|title=K.G.F: Chapter 1 completes 100 days at theaters, becomes biggest blockbuster in history of Kannada movies|date=1 April 2019|access-date=11 May 2019|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511174020/https://www.financialexpress.com/entertainment/kgf-movie-chapter-1-chapter-2-cast-trailer-box-office/1534562/|url-status=live}}
== India ==
On the first day of release, KGF: Chapter 1 collected {{INRConvert|18.1|c|year=2018}} net at the domestic box office.{{cn|date=November 2024}} The Hindi version raked in more than {{INRConvert|2|c|year=2018}} at the box office on the first day.{{cite news|title='KGF' box office collection Day 1: The Yash starrer earns Rs 18 crore across all formats on its opening day|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-the-yash-starrer-earns-rs-18-crore-across-all-formats-on-its-opening-day/articleshow/67205468.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521123636/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-the-yash-starrer-earns-rs-18-crore-across-all-formats-on-its-opening-day/articleshow/67205468.cms?|url-status=live}} On the second day, the film outdid its first day totals, with a worldwide total of {{INRConvert|25|c|year=2018}}. First weekend totals stood at around {{INRConvert|59.6|c|year=2018}} worldwide from all versions,{{cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-worldwide-another-record-smashed-yash-srinidhi-starrer-makes-most-of-christmas-mood-77219|title=KGF box office collection day 3 total: Yash starrer earns whopping Rs 59.6 crore! Looks set to break records|date=24 December 2018|website=Zee Business|access-date=17 February 2019|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224131845/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-worldwide-another-record-smashed-yash-srinidhi-starrer-makes-most-of-christmas-mood-77219|url-status=live}} whereas the Hindi-dubbed version collected over {{INRConvert|9|c|year=2018}}.{{cite news|title='KGF' box office collection Day 3: The Yash starrer action entertainer collects Rs 52.25 crore across all formats on its opening weekend|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-the-yash-starrer-action-entertainer-collects-rs-52-25-crore-across-all-formats-on-its-opening-weekend/articleshow/67229652.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070812/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-3-the-yash-starrer-action-entertainer-collects-rs-52-25-crore-across-all-formats-on-its-opening-weekend/articleshow/67229652.cms|url-status=live}} On the fourth day, the film collected approximately {{INRConvert|80|c|year=2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-4-worldwide-rs-100-crore-karnataka-hindi-all-languages-till-now-yash-srinidhi-shetty-77433/amp|title=KGF box office collection day 4: Yash starrer inches towards Rs 100 crore! Check earnings in Kannada, Hindi, Worldwide, India News, Business News | Zee Business|access-date=13 March 2021|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208202038/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-4-worldwide-rs-100-crore-karnataka-hindi-all-languages-till-now-yash-srinidhi-shetty-77433/amp|url-status=live}} while the Hindi version saw a jump of 45% on Monday.{{cite news|title='KGF' box office collection Day 4: The Prashanth Neel directorial starring Yash collects Rs 13.75 crore across all formats on Monday|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-4-the-prashanth-neel-directorial-starring-yash-collects-rs-13-75-crore-across-all-formats-on-monday/articleshow/67242270.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=22 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122032410/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-4-the-prashanth-neel-directorial-starring-yash-collects-rs-13-75-crore-across-all-formats-on-monday/articleshow/67242270.cms|url-status=live}} On 25 December 2018, the film saw a steep incline on the box office due to the Christmas holidays, collecting more than {{INRConvert|84|c|year=2018}} upon release.{{cite news|title='KGF' box office collection Day 5: The Yash and Srinidhi Shetty starrer collects Rs 4.25 crore on Tuesday|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-5-the-yash-and-srinidhi-shetty-starrer-collects-rs-4-25-crore-on-tuesday/articleshow/67254067.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=8 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308051140/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-5-the-yash-and-srinidhi-shetty-starrer-collects-rs-4-25-crore-on-tuesday/articleshow/67254067.cms|url-status=live}} The fifth day totals stood at up to {{INRConvert|100|c|year=2018}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-6-kannada-hindi-total-worldwide-yash-starrer-another-record-77684|title=KGF Box Office Collection Day 6 Worldwide: Yash film in biggies club! Now trails Baahubali, 2.0|date=27 December 2018|access-date=13 March 2021|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128020134/https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-6-kannada-hindi-total-worldwide-yash-starrer-another-record-77684|url-status=live}}
The film collected more than {{INRConvert|105|c|year=2018}} at the domestic box office in the first week of release.{{cite news|title=KGF strikes gold at the box office|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-strikes-gold-at-the-box-office/articleshow/67272759.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202092429/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-strikes-gold-at-the-box-office/articleshow/67272759.cms|url-status=live}} After ten days, the film had collected {{INRConvert|87|c|year=2018}} from Karnataka, {{INRConvert|1.6|c|year=2018}} from Kerala, {{INRConvert|6.1|c|year=2018}} from Tamil Nadu, and {{INRConvert|14.5|c|year=2018}} from Telugu-speaking states.{{cite web|title=KGF Box Office Collection Day 10: Costliest Kannada movie makes Rs 152.20 crore worldwide|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-10-costliest-kannada-movie-makes-rs-152-20-crore-worldwide/story/305539.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=31 December 2018|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412004904/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-10-costliest-kannada-movie-makes-rs-152-20-crore-worldwide/story/305539.html|url-status=live}} The film entered the {{INRConvert|100|c}} mark in Karnataka on the fifteenth day of box office, thus becoming the first film in Karnataka to do so.{{cite web|title=KGF Box Office Collection Day 15: Yash's film becomes first Kannada movie to make Rs 100 crore in Karnataka|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-15-yash-film-becomes-first-kannada-movie-to-cross-rs-100-crore/story/307103.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=5 January 2019|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122073159/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-15-yash-film-becomes-first-kannada-movie-to-cross-rs-100-crore/story/307103.html|url-status=live}}
It collected over {{INRConvert|134|c|year=2018}} in Karnataka, becoming the highest-grossing film in that state, and beating the previous record set by Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/entertainment/box-office/article/yashs-kgf-tops-karnataka-box-office-beating-baahubali-2-goes-past-rs-240-crore-mark-globally-in-just-40-days/358478|title=Historic Blockbuster! Yash starrer KGF tops Karnataka box office beating Baahubali 2; goes past Rs 240 crore mark globally in just 40 days | Entertainment News|website=www.timesnownews.com|access-date=6 June 2020|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606104450/https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/entertainment/box-office/article/yashs-kgf-tops-karnataka-box-office-beating-baahubali-2-goes-past-rs-240-crore-mark-globally-in-just-40-days/358478|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://menglish.sakshi.com/amp/entertainment/2019/02/04/kgf-day-42-collections-yash-overtakes-prabhas-beats-baahubali-record|title=KGF Day 42 Collections: Yash Overtakes Prabhas, Beats Baahubali Record|website=menglish.sakshi.com|date=4 February 2019|access-date=6 June 2020|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606103544/https://menglish.sakshi.com/amp/entertainment/2019/02/04/kgf-day-42-collections-yash-overtakes-prabhas-beats-baahubali-record|url-status=live}} The film collected {{INRConvert|24.39|c|year=2019}} in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, {{INRConvert|3.18|c|year=2019}} in Kerala, and {{INRConvert|8.82|c|year=2019}} in Tamil Nadu; the film earned more than {{INRConvert|172|c|year=2019}} across theatres across South India.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Its Hindi version earned more than {{INRConvert|40.39|c|year=2019}}; it became the fourth-highest grossing Hindi-dubbed film after the Baahubali franchise and 2.0 of the that time.{{citation|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/entertainment/box-office/article/kgf-box-office-collection-day-21-yash-starrer-earns-rs-40-39-crore-becomes-the-4th-highest-grossing-dubbed-hindi-film-of-all-time/346030|title=KGF BO collection day 21: Yash starrer earns Rs 40.39 crore; becomes 4th highest grossing dubbed Hindi film|date=2019-01-11|archive-date=2019-01-13|work=Times Now|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113153020/https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/entertainment/box-office/article/kgf-box-office-collection-day-21-yash-starrer-earns-rs-40-39-crore-becomes-the-4th-highest-grossing-dubbed-hindi-film-of-all-time/346030}}{{cite web|title=K.G.F – Chapter 1 Box Office Collection till Now {{!}} Box Collection - Bollywood Hungama|website=Bollywood Hungama|date=21 December 2018|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kgf-dubbed/box-office/|access-date=2021-01-11|language=en|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210044558/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kgf-dubbed/box-office/|url-status=live}} The film earned more than {{INRConvert|204|c|year=2018}} at the domestic box office.{{cite web|date=2018-12-24|title=Yash's action entertainer 'KGF' a big hit at the box office, rakes in the moolah|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-action-entertainer-kgf-big-hit-box-office-rakes-moolah-93897|access-date=2021-01-11|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=23 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423030955/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/yash-s-action-entertainer-kgf-big-hit-box-office-rakes-moolah-93897|url-status=live}}
== Other territories ==
Premiering at more than 100 theatres in 50 locations,{{cite web|title=KGF Box Office collection: Yash starrer becomes first Kannada film to set a huge record in USA|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-yash-starrer-becomes-first-kannada-film-set-huge-record-usa-435240|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Pinkvilla|date=24 December 2018|language=en|archive-date=1 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401102042/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-yash-starrer-becomes-first-kannada-film-set-huge-record-usa-435240|url-status=live}} K.G.F became the fastest Kannada film to cross $200k and $300k in the United States box office.{{cite web|title=KGF box office collection day 2: Yash's movie becomes fastest Kannada movie to cross $200K in US|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-2-yash-movie-becomes-fastest-kannada-movie-to-cross-200k-in-us/story/303548.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=23 December 2018|archive-date=23 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223125941/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-2-yash-movie-becomes-fastest-kannada-movie-to-cross-200k-in-us/story/303548.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Vyas|date=2018-12-24|title=KGF Sets a New Record in USA|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2018-12-24/KGF-Sets-a-New-Record-in-USA/463897|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.thehansindia.com|language=en|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208151310/https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Cinema/2018-12-24/KGF-Sets-a-New-Record-in-USA/463897|url-status=live}} As of 25 December, the film earned $413,214, becoming the first Kannada film to earn $400k at the box office.{{cite web|title=KGF box office collection Day 5: Yash's movie going strong at domestic, overseas market|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-5-yash-movie-going-strong-at-domestic-overseas-market/story/304322.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=26 December 2018|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622052647/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-5-yash-movie-going-strong-at-domestic-overseas-market/story/304322.html|url-status=live}} Within the end of the first week, K.G.F collected more than $522,848 at the box office,{{cite web|title=KGF Box Office Collection Day 7: Yash's movie inches towards Rs 150 crore worldwide|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-7-yashs-movie-inches-towards-rs-150-crore-worldwide/story/304866.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.businesstoday.in|date=28 December 2018|archive-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617231621/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/box-office/kgf-box-office-collection-day-7-yashs-movie-inches-towards-rs-150-crore-worldwide/story/304866.html|url-status=live}} becoming the first Sandalwood film to cross a half million ($500k) dollars in United States.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
During the second weekend, the film grossed $146,207, to take its total tally to $669,055, and it crossed the $700k mark within the second week.{{cn|date=November 2024}} Thereafter, the tally saw a normal dip and the film ended its lifetime total at $805,637 in the country.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
Apart from the US, the film collected £22,656 in United Kingdom, $9,539 in New Zealand, and RM 11,406 in Malaysia, to collect a cumulative $1.5 million in overseas profits.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
=Critical response=
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=67|count=9|average=5.6|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=13 May 2024}}
K.G.F: Chapter 1 received positive reviews from critics.{{cite news |title=KGF box office collection Day 1: Yash film earns Rs 18.1 crore |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-yash-5504127/ |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=22 December 2018 |language=en-IN |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223122322/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-yash-5504127/ |url-status=live }} While its story plot, cinematography, action sequences, music, narration, direction and cast performances of the ensemble cast received acclaim, critics had mixed comments about the screenplay and editing. However the film's dialogues became famous worldwide, especially Yash and Anant Nag's dialogues.{{cite news |title=Rocking Star Yash's 'KGF' gets a positive response from fans and audiences |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/rocking-star-yashs-kgf-gets-a-positive-response-from-fans-and-audiences/articleshow/67191968.cms |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=4 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210104114742/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/rocking-star-yashs-kgf-gets-a-positive-response-from-fans-and-audiences/articleshow/67191968.cms |url-status=live }}
Reviewing for Deccan Herald, Vivek M. V. felt that the "grandeur" lay in the film's "fantastically gripping story". He praised the film's narration, its "brilliant" editing, and "riveting sequences".{{cite web |last1=M. V. |first1=Vivek |title='KGF' movie review: Kannada cinema enters big leagues |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/dh-talkies/kgf-movie-review-kannada-709204.html |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221130134/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/dh-talkies/kgf-movie-review-kannada-709204.html |url-status=live }} Sunayana Suresh of The Times of India gave the film rating of {{frac|3|1|2}} stars out of five, writing that it had a "fast-paced first half ... but the second half and the climax sets up the right premise for the second part of the film." She called the screenplay's "non-linear" fashion the "most interesting part of the film". She commended Yash's performance, in that he "lives his character to the fullest".{{cite web |last1=Suresh |first1=Sunayana |title=KGF Review {3.5/5}: 'KGF: Chapter 1' surely seems to have delivered what it set to achieve |website=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/kgf/movie-review/67187039.cms |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018}} Troy Ribeiro of News18 echoed her sentiment, writing, "Yash's endurance, strife and sincerity ... get projected as perfunctory" in the context of "tight close-ups and mid-shots the camera stops us from getting emotionally connected to" every actor in the film. He further wrote, "With intense atmospheric lighting, every frame in the film looks aesthetic and natural. Brilliant cinematography and equally challenging action sequences are put together with razor-sharp edits. They give the film a racy pace."{{cite web |title=KGF Review: Brilliant Cinematography, Challenging Action Sequences Give Yash's Film a Racy Pace |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-movie-review-brilliant-cinematography-challenging-action-sequences-give-yash-film-a-racy-pace-1980355.html |website=News18 |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=22 December 2018 |archive-date=23 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223143134/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-movie-review-brilliant-cinematography-challenging-action-sequences-give-yash-film-a-racy-pace-1980355.html |url-status=live }} Priyanka Sundar of Hindustan Times called the film a "story of greed and redemption" that "burns bright". While praising the "promising" background score, "sharp" editing, and "stunning" visuals, she felt that the screenplay could have been "tighter".{{cite web |last1=Sundar |first1=Priyanka |title=KGF Chapter 1 movie review: Yash's movie about goldmine mafia burns bright |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-yash-s-movie-about-goldmine-mafia-burns-bright/story-bWBDTJIQ7wYP2LxvQCZBWJ.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221224806/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-yash-s-movie-about-goldmine-mafia-burns-bright/story-bWBDTJIQ7wYP2LxvQCZBWJ.html |url-status=live }}
Janani K. of India Today felt the film was "dragged and over-stretched", and gave it a three out of five-star rating. While she commended Yash's "extraordinary performance" and the "brilliantly choreographed stunt sequences", she wrote that despite having "universal theme, [the film] gets lost in translation, thanks to sloppy editing and atrocious dialogues."{{cite web |last1=K. |first1=Janani |title=KGF Chapter 1 Movie Review: Sloppy writing spoils Yash's intriguing gangster drama |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-sloppy-writing-spoils-yash-s-intriguing-gangster-drama-1414701-2018-12-21 |website=India Today |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226050233/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-sloppy-writing-spoils-yash-s-intriguing-gangster-drama-1414701-2018-12-21 |url-status=live }} Subha J. Rao of Firstpost gave the film a similar rating, and praised the film's music, cinematography, and art direction, particularly the latter in "bringing alive the grime and heat of the gold mines". However, she felt "[t]ighter editing ... would have smoothened out the kinks" in the film.{{cite web |last1=Rao |first1=Subha J. |title=KGF: Chapter 1 movie review — Yash-starrer has a gripping story that deserved better treatment |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-yash-starrer-has-a-gripping-story-that-deserved-better-treatment-5770351.html |website=Firstpost |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=4 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204221721/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-yash-starrer-has-a-gripping-story-that-deserved-better-treatment-5770351.html |url-status=live }} Shashiprasad S. M. of Deccan Chronicle scored the film {{frac|2|1|2}} stars out of five, describing the film as "a visual spectacle". Barring that, he felt it fell short of "instilling the much-needed life into it."{{cite web |last1=S. M. |first1=Shashiprasad |title=KGF movie review: Rold gold! |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/211218/kgf-movie-review-rold-gold.html |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920172253/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/211218/kgf-movie-review-rold-gold.html |url-status=live }} Karthik Keramalu of Film Companion felt that the film fell short of "becoming a great movie by a long mile". He dismissed the dialogue delivered by Yash's character as a "lengthy sermon about his own valour", while also criticizing the film's editing.{{cite web |last1=Keramalu |first1=Karthik |title=K.G.F: Chapter 1 Movie Review: Prashanth Neel's Epic Falls Short Of Greatness By A Mile |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/kannada-review/k-g-f-chapter-1-movie-review-prashanth-neels-epic-falls-short-of-greatness-by-a-mile/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810192242/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/kannada-review/k-g-f-chapter-1-movie-review-prashanth-neels-epic-falls-short-of-greatness-by-a-mile/ |archive-date=10 August 2020 |website=Film Companion |access-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=live |date=21 December 2018}}
Excluding what he described the film's climax as "spectacular with the support of a brilliant cast" and "spot-on" sets and location, Muralidhara Khajane of The Hindu felt there was "nothing in the film that we have not seen before". While writing that "[t]here is a certain finesse to the edgy, moody cinematography", he concluded that the film lacked a "soul, a believable story, and a rounded protagonist."{{cite news |last1=Khajane |first1=Muralidhara |title=KGF review: The pageant is beautiful but meaningless |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kgf-review-the-pageant-is-beautiful-but-meaningless/article25805463.ece |website=The Hindu |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=22 December 2018 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921170005/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kgf-review-the-pageant-is-beautiful-but-meaningless/article25805463.ece |url-status=live }} Manoj Kumar R. of The Indian Express scored the film {{frac|2|1|2}} stars out of five, deeming it "[a]n overstretched exercise in hero worship". While drawing comparisons of certain scenes to those from Baahubali, he felt the film had a "flimsy storyline", which he added was made up for by its "terrific background orchestra".{{cite web |last1=Kumar R. |first1=Manoj |title=KGF movie review: An overstretched exercise in hero worship |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kgf-movie-review-rating-yash-5503903/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221112349/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kgf-movie-review-rating-yash-5503903/ |url-status=live }} Also writing for the same news publication, Shubhra Gupta drew comparisons of the film in plot to those of Nayakan, Deewaar, and Parinda in its first half. She felt that the film had "nothing more" than "striking cinematography, and the brown and sepia colours which suffuse the screen."{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Shubhra |title=KGF review: The movie is just a star vehicle |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-review-yash-rating-5504053/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=22 December 2018 |language=en-IN |date=21 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221131536/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/kgf-review-yash-rating-5504053/ |url-status=live }}
The character of Rocky was well received by critics. Janani K. of India Today said that "You take a look at [Rocky] and instantly you know that this guy will do the impossible and pull people out of their misery."{{citation|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-sloppy-writing-spoils-yash-s-intriguing-gangster-drama-1414701-2018-12-21|title=KGF Chapter 1 Movie Review: Sloppy writing spoils Yash's intriguing gangster drama|first=Janani|last=K|date=2018-12-21|work=India Today|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226050233/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-sloppy-writing-spoils-yash-s-intriguing-gangster-drama-1414701-2018-12-21|url-status=live}} Sunaina Suresh of The Times of India said that "The growth of Rocky is shown steadily and the makers kept a clever story telling pattern right through that keeps pace with the narrative." Suresh further added: "The first chapter shows Rocky as the maverick mastermind who will stop at nothing in order to achieve his mission."{{citation|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/kgf/movie-review/67189988.cms|title=KGF review|date=2018-12-23|first=Sunaina|last=Suresh|work=The Times of India|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109062043/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-reviews/kgf/movie-review/67189988.cms|url-status=live}} Troy Ribeiro of News18 said that "Rocky is the new Superhero in the town."{{citation|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-movie-review-brilliant-cinematography-challenging-action-sequences-give-yash-film-a-racy-pace-1980355.html|title=KGF Movie Review: Brilliant Cinematography, Challenging Action Sequences|first=Troy|last=Ribeiro|date=2018-12-22|work=News 18|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=23 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223143134/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-movie-review-brilliant-cinematography-challenging-action-sequences-give-yash-film-a-racy-pace-1980355.html|url-status=live}}
Accolades
Sequel
{{Main|KGF: Chapter 2}}
Before the release of the first K.G.F film in December 2018, the filmmakers shot 20% of its second installment, with the crew doing double shifts till January 2019.{{cite news|title=Why 'KGF' cast and crew will be working double shifts ahead of film's release|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/why-kgf-cast-and-crew-will-be-working-double-shifts-ahead-of-films-release/articleshow/66784570.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119084330/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/why-kgf-cast-and-crew-will-be-working-double-shifts-ahead-of-films-release/articleshow/66784570.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title='KGF: Chapter 2' completes 15% of shooting|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-2-completes-15-of-shooting/articleshow/67378246.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119082813/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-2-completes-15-of-shooting/articleshow/67378246.cms|url-status=live}} The film has Yash and Srinidhi Shetty reprising their roles from the first film, while Sanjay Dutt{{cite news|title=Sanjay Dutt roped in for KGF Chapter 2?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/sanjay-dutt-roped-in-for-kgf-chapter-2/articleshow/67938768.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504005915/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/sanjay-dutt-roped-in-for-kgf-chapter-2/articleshow/67938768.cms|url-status=live}} and Raveena Tandon{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-2-raveena-tandon-in-talks-with-yash-film-1466239-2019-02-27|title=KGF Chapter 2: Raveena Tandon in talks with Yash film?|date=February 27, 2019|website=India Today|access-date=9 January 2021|archive-date=6 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906073007/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kgf-2-raveena-tandon-in-talks-with-yash-film-1466239-2019-02-27|url-status=live}} were cast in pivotal new roles. The shooting of the film kick-started on 13 March 2019.{{cite news|last1=Shinde|first1=Prajwal|date=28 March 2019|title=KGF 2: Rocking Star Yash and Director Prashant Neel's Film Takes Off|work=News 18|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-2-rocking-star-yash-and-director-prashant-neel-film-takes-off-2065295.html|access-date=13 March 2019|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830045041/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/kgf-2-rocking-star-yash-and-director-prashant-neel-film-takes-off-2065295.html|url-status=live}}
K.G.F: Chapter 2 was originally scheduled to hit theatres on 23 October 2020,{{cite news|title=KGF: Chapter 2 to hit screens in October?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-2-to-hit-screens-in-october/articleshow/74570814.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=11 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311153253/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-chapter-2-to-hit-screens-in-october/articleshow/74570814.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Yash, Raveena Tandon and Sanjay Dutt starrer 'KGF: Chapter 2' to hit the theatres on October 23|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/yash-raveena-tandon-and-sanjay-dutt-starrer-kgf-chapter-2-to-hit-the-theatres-on-october-23/articleshow/74613920.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=3 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003191148/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/yash-raveena-tandon-and-sanjay-dutt-starrer-kgf-chapter-2-to-hit-the-theatres-on-october-23/articleshow/74613920.cms|url-status=live}} but its release was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.{{cite news|title=KGF 2 trailer not anytime now, say makers|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-2-trailer-not-anytime-now-say-makers/articleshow/75210653.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205022222/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-2-trailer-not-anytime-now-say-makers/articleshow/75210653.cms|url-status=live}} In January 2021, the filmmakers announced a new release date of 16 July 2021{{cite news|title=It's out! Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 to release on July 16, 2021|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/its-out-yashs-kgf-chapter-2-to-release-on-april-14/articleshow/80586641.cms|access-date=2021-02-03|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106195358/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/its-out-yashs-kgf-chapter-2-to-release-on-april-14/articleshow/80586641.cms|url-status=live}} but again got postponed due to the same reason. On 22 August 2021, the filmmakers announced that the film will release on 14 April 2022.{{cite web | title=Yash's KGF 2 to release on Apr 14, 2022, to clash with Prabhas's Salaar | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-s-kgf-2-to-release-on-apr-14-2022-to-clash-with-prabhas-s-salaar-1843981-2021-08-22 | access-date=22 August 2021 | website=India Today | date=22 August 2021 | language=en | archive-date=22 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210822104937/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-s-kgf-2-to-release-on-apr-14-2022-to-clash-with-prabhas-s-salaar-1843981-2021-08-22 | url-status=live }} Finally Chapter 2 was released on 14 April 2022 in Kannada, and in dubbed versions for the Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam languages.
Legacy
{{Blockquote|text=The success of 'KGF' means a lot to the Kannada cinema, especially to a lot of our talented technicians who don't get the due they deserve. A lot of our talented technicians have been looking for a platform and 'KGF' has provided them that pedestal. This success has boosted the morale of the Kannada industry. It has justified the talent of Prashanth Neel.|author=|title=|source=Yash in an interview to IANS, after the success of K.G.F{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kgf-success-has-boosted-morale-of-kannada-film-industry-yash-119030700477_1.html|title='KGF' success has boosted morale of Kannada film industry: Yash|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=7 March 2019|via=Business Standard|access-date=11 January 2021|archive-date=9 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209194359/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kgf-success-has-boosted-morale-of-kannada-film-industry-yash-119030700477_1.html|url-status=live}}}}
The film was praised by many celebrities across the South Indian film industry. Director Pa. Ranjith praised the team after watching the trailer of the film,{{cite news|title=Tamil director Pa Ranjith appreciates 'KGF' trailer|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamil-director-pa-ranjith-appreciates-kgf-trailer/articleshow/66591906.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504071357/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/tamil-director-pa-ranjith-appreciates-kgf-trailer/articleshow/66591906.cms|url-status=live}} while Puneeth Rajkumar and Shah Rukh Khan also appreciated Yash and the filmmakers.{{cite news|title=Puneeth Rajkumar wishes team 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/puneeth-rajkumar-wishes-team-kgf/articleshow/66602450.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070808/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/puneeth-rajkumar-wishes-team-kgf/articleshow/66602450.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Shah Rukh Khan congratulates Yash for his upcoming film 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/shah-rukh-khan-congratulates-yash-for-his-upcoming-film-kgf/articleshow/67159359.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504064506/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/shah-rukh-khan-congratulates-yash-for-his-upcoming-film-kgf/articleshow/67159359.cms|url-status=live}} Raveena Tandon,{{cite news|title=Raveena Tandon appreciates Yash's acting in 'KGF'|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/raveena-tandon-appreciates-yashs-acting-in-kgf/articleshow/67232642.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063804/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/raveena-tandon-appreciates-yashs-acting-in-kgf/articleshow/67232642.cms|url-status=live}} Rashmika Mandanna,{{cite news|title=Geetha Govindam actress praises the Yash-starrer KGF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/geetha-govindam-actress-praises-the-yash-starrer-kgf/articleshow/67253410.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063803/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/geetha-govindam-actress-praises-the-yash-starrer-kgf/articleshow/67253410.cms|url-status=live}} Ram Gopal Varma,{{cite news|title=Ram Gopal Varma congratulates team 'KGF' for the film's success|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ram-gopal-varma-congratulates-team-kgf-for-the-films-success/articleshow/67270698.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063802/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ram-gopal-varma-congratulates-team-kgf-for-the-films-success/articleshow/67270698.cms|url-status=live}} and Sumalatha Ambareesh (wife of late actor Ambareesh){{cite news|title=When Sumalatha Ambareesh applauded Yash|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/when-sumalatha-ambareesh-applauded-yash/articleshow/67242838.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=12 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412073340/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/when-sumalatha-ambareesh-applauded-yash/articleshow/67242838.cms|url-status=live}} also praised Yash's performance. Tamil actor Vijay, who watched a special screening of the film on 20 January 2019 in Chennai,{{cn|date=November 2024}} praised the team for its brilliant filmmaking, and Yash for his performance.{{cite news|title=Thalapathy Vijay praises KGF team|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thalapathy-vijay-praises-kgf-team/articleshow/67608821.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504070016/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thalapathy-vijay-praises-kgf-team/articleshow/67608821.cms|url-status=live}}
Following the box office performance of the film, on 3 January 2019, the Income Tax Department raided the homes of several film stars and producers from the Kannada industry,{{cite news|title=Income tax officials raid homes of Kannada film actors and producers|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/income-tax-officials-raid-homes-of-kannada-film-actors-and-producers/articleshow/67362887.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063804/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/income-tax-officials-raid-homes-of-kannada-film-actors-and-producers/articleshow/67362887.cms|url-status=live}} including Yash and the film's producer, Vijay Kiragandur,{{cite news|title=Income Tax raid on Sandalwood stars continue for the second day|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/income-tax-raid-on-sandalwood-stars-continue-for-the-second-day/articleshow/67379564.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063802/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/income-tax-raid-on-sandalwood-stars-continue-for-the-second-day/articleshow/67379564.cms|url-status=live}} and its actors have also been asked to provide details of Yash's remuneration for the film, shedding light on the fact that the movie's performance was considered to be the reason behind the IT raid.{{cite news|title=I-T officials keen to know how much Yash made from KGF?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-t-officials-keen-to-know-how-much-yash-made-from-kgf/articleshow/67383225.cms|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=4 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504063802/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/i-t-officials-keen-to-know-how-much-yash-made-from-kgf/articleshow/67383225.cms|url-status=live}}
In a March 2018 interview with IANS, Yash stated that "The success of KGF: Chapter 1 boosted the morale of the Kannada film industry. This success means a lot to all the untapped talent of our industry".{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title='KGF' success has boosted morale of Kannada film industry: Yash|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/kgf-success-has-boosted-morale-of-kannada-film-industry-yash/1491621|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Outlook India|archive-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822163729/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/kgf-success-has-boosted-morale-of-kannada-film-industry-yash/1491621|url-status=live}} K.G.F also established Kannada cinema in the multilingual film market, with the 2019 releases Pailwaan, Kurukshetra, and Avane Srimannarayana being released in multiple languages.{{cite web|title=From Tagaru to KGF: Kannada film industry's 2018 report card|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/29/2018-sandalwoods-report-card-1917913.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=The New Indian Express|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025195646/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2018/dec/29/2018-sandalwoods-report-card-1917913.html|url-status=dead}} Shjilpa Sebastian wrote an article for The Hindu, "2019: The Year when Kannada Cinema Went National", in which she stated that the film "changed the game plan for the Kannada film industry".{{Cite news|last=R|first=Shilpa Sebastian|date=2019-12-19|title=2019: The year when Kannada cinema went national|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/2019-the-year-when-kannada-cinema-went-national/article30348537.ece|access-date=2021-01-11|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108152242/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/2019-the-year-when-kannada-cinema-went-national/article30348537.ece|url-status=live}}
KGF became the most streamed film on Amazon Prime Video in 2019.{{cite web|last=Toleti|first=Siddartha|date=2019-12-07|title=The Sensational Kannada Movie KGF Is The Most Streamed Film Of The Year|url=https://www.binged.com/news/the-sensational-kannada-movie-kgf-is-the-most-streamed-film-of-the-year/|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Binged|language=en-US|archive-date=13 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813172134/https://www.binged.com/news/the-sensational-kannada-movie-kgf-is-the-most-streamed-film-of-the-year/|url-status=live}} Director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, chairman of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, praised the film, stating: "We can expect more 'KGF's in the future. Not everyone can make a 'KGF', but its success can inspire more quality filmmaking using both local and international technicians."{{cite web|date=2019-02-28|title=KGF turns talking point at film festival|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/city/kgf-turns-talking-point-film-720900.html|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|archive-date=8 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208151310/https://www.deccanherald.com/city/kgf-turns-talking-point-film-720900.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=R|first=Shilpa Sebastian|date=2020-01-24|title=Director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar explains what is unique about Kannada film industry, after KGF|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/director-nagathihalli-chandrashekar-explains-what-is-unique-about-his-film-india-vs-england/article30642000.ece|access-date=2021-01-11|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128213849/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/director-nagathihalli-chandrashekar-explains-what-is-unique-about-his-film-india-vs-england/article30642000.ece|url-status=live}}
See also
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|7838252}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|kgf}}
- {{Bollywood Hungama title|KGF}}
{{KGF (film series)}}
{{Prashanth Neel}}
{{AA Films}}
{{Vishal Film Factory}}
{{National Film Award Best Special Effects}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada}}
Category:2010s Kannada-language films
Category:2018 action drama films
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Category:Indian films about revenge
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Category:Films set in the 1980s
Category:Indian gangster films
Category:Indian action drama films
Category:Indian historical action films
Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award
Category:Indian pregnancy films
Category:Indian vigilante films
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Category:Films featuring a Best Stunt Choreography National Film Award–winning choreography