K.G.F: Chapter 1: Difference between revisions

{{short description|2018 film by Prashanth Neel}}

{{Cite check|date=August 2021}}

| caption        = Promotional poster

* [[Ananth Nag]]

* Ramachandra Raju

| music          = [[Ravi Basrur]]<br>[[Anshuman Tiwari (musician)]]

* [[Excel Entertainment]] and [[AA Films]] (Hindi)  

* [[Vishal Film Factory]]  (Tamil)  

* [[Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram]] (Telugu)  

| budget        = {{INR|80 crore}}<ref name="zeebiz"/>

| gross          = {{estimation}} {{INR|250  

crore}}<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="kgf1">{{citation|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-reveals-he-has-approached-sanjay-dutt-for-kgf-chapter-2-1452187-2019-02-09

'''''K.G.F: Chapter 1''''' is a 2018 Indian [[Kannada]]-language [[Historical drama|period]] [[Action film|action]] film<ref>{{cite web |url=http://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]]}}</ref><ref name="Yash">{{cite web |title=Kannada star Yash optimistic about upcoming action-period drama 'KGF' |url=https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/entertainment/247888-kannada-star-yash-optimistic-about-upcoming-action-period-drama-kgf |website=Devdiscourse |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203182605/https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/entertainment/247888-kannada-star-yash-optimistic-about-upcoming-action-period-drama-kgf |archive-date=3 December 2018 |date=11 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> written and directed by [[Prashanth Neel]], and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the banner [[Hombale Films|Hombale films]]. It is the first {{not a typo|installment}} in the two-part series, followed by ''[[K.G.F: Chapter 2]]''. The film features [[Yash (actor)|Yash]] in the lead role as Rocky, while debutante Ramachandra Raju features as Garuda. [[Anant Nag]] narrates the film while [[Srinidhi Shetty]], [[Vasishta N. Simha]], [[Achyuth Kumar]], [[Malavika Avinash]] appears in supporting roles. The film was made on a budget of ₹80 crore, making it the most expensive [[Kannada]] film at its time of release.<ref name="zeebiz">{{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}}</ref> The film focuses on Rocky who lives in poverty, but grows up to be a high ranking gangster in Mumbai. However he reforms upon posing as a slave in Narachi Company (Kolar Gold Fields) and aims to assassinate the cult's future heir Garuda.

The development of the film began in early 2015 when Neel completed writing the screenplay.<ref>{{cite news |title=Yash And Radhika Pandit To Pair Up Again In KGF! |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2015/yash-and-radhika-pandit-to-pair-up-again-in-kgf-175889.html |access-date=25 December 2018 |work=Filmibeat |date=6 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> However, filming began only two years later, on 15 January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|last=|first=|date=15 January 2017|title=Yash-starrer KGF starts as per schedule|work=The New Indian Express|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2017/mar/16/yash-starrer-kgf-starts-as-per-schedule-1581753.html|url-status=live|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> Most of the film is set in the [[Kolar Gold Fields]] and was filmed on locations such as [[Kolar]], [[Mysore]] and parts of [[North Karnataka]]. The production of the film was completed on 17 August 2018.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Bhuvan Gowda]] handled the cinematography and [[Srikanth Gowda]] edited the film. [[Ravi Basrur]] scored music for the soundtrack and the film's background.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

After a North American premiere on 20 December 2018, ''K.G.F: Chapter 1'' was released in Kannada and in dubbed versions of [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Malayalam]] and [[Hindi]] languages the following day, and received positive response from audiences.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hooli |first1=Shekhar H. |title=KGF movie review: This is what Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam audience say about Yash starrer |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-chapter-1-movie-review-rating-by-non-kannada-viewers-live-updates-788451 |access-date=25 December 2018 |work=International Business Times, India Edition |date=21 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> However, critics gave the film mixed reviews. The film performed well commercially and collected {{INR|250 crore}} in its entire theatrical run, breaking the record for the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest grossing Kannada film]] of all time.<ref name="kgf12">{{citation|title=Yash's film KGF: Chapter 1 made more than 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|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/regional-cinema/story/yash-reveals-he-has-approached-sanjay-dutt-for-kgf-chapter-2-1452187-2019-02-09|work=indiatoday}}</ref> At the [[66th National Film Awards]], the film won two awards for [[Action film|Best Action]] and [[Vfx|Best Special Effects]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> At the [[66th Filmfare Awards South]], the film won two awards from five nominations, including the award for [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada|Best Film]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada|Best Actor]] for Yash respectively.<ref name=":0" />

Journalist Anand Ingalagi's book titled ''El Dorado'' that detailed the events at the [[Kolar Gold Fields]] between 1951 and 2018, was banned by the Government of India and all published copies were burnt. However, a television news channel procures a copy and interviews him circling the events he had cited.

Ingalagi narrates that commissioned government officials discovered [[ore]] of gold in the southern part of India's [[Mysore State]] (in present-day [[Kolar district]], [[Karnataka]]) in 1951. Rocky was also born on the day of the discovery in the [[Mysore (region)|Mysore region]] to a poor and widowed woman. Suryavardhan, a local don who accompanied the officials, killed them. Discerning the increasing demand for gold by the [[Cold War]] belligerents, Suryavardhan deceitfully sets up a company, Narachi, in that land, bought for a lease of 99 years under the pretext of mining [[limestone]]. He had five associates, all of whom operated away from KGF: Kamal; the son of a former associate Bharghav, Andrews and Rajendra Desai - who oversee operations in the [[Konkan]] and [[Malabar Coast]] respectively, from [[Bangalore]], Guru Pandian; a powerful politician and president of the DYSS party, and his brother Adheera. However, each of them had their eyes on the mines.

Andrews' underboss Shetty is a gold smuggler in [[Bombay]], the city on which another rival smuggler, Dubai-based Inayat Khalil's eyes were also set on.

Rocky arrives in Bombay as a ten-year-old on a quest for power and wealth as desired by his dying mother and begins to work for Shetty. Years later, he becomes Shetty's right-hand man later and oversees gold bars' arrival from Africa to the Bombay coast with an iron fist. Rocky soon rises in strength and power, rivaling that of Shetty's. This attracts the attention of Andrews, who offers him, Bombay in return for assassinating Garuda, the elder son of Suryavardhan, who is to inherit KGF after his now paralyzed father's passing.

Rocky accepts the offer and heads to [[Bangalore]] where a political event is staged for the purpose. Once there, he witnesses the sheer presence, authority, and power that Garuda commands to have the attempt averted.

Previously, in 1978, at the KGF, a bedridden Suryavardhan announces Garuda as his successor overlooking Adheera, who he wants to serve as the former's aide. Garuda's ruthless way of functioning, aided by his commander Vanaram comes to the fore.

In the present, seeing no other option to murder Garuda, Rocky soon makes his way into KGF, evading a unit of henchmen. Once there, he witnesses the brutality that the slaves are subjected to. Although apathetic at first, he is moved by an incident involving a cold-blooded killing of a mother and son at the hands of an overseer and the hope of slaves' children that Rocky rises to liberate them. After stealthily accessing the map in the maintenance room during his shift and narrowly escaping the clutches of death by the sacrifice of a fellow slave to save the life of his wife and unborn child, Andrews and Desai were misinformed by their spies of the incident, thus believing Rocky was dead.

Beginning his attempt to indicate to Desai and his men through their informants, Kulkarni and Garuda's brother Virat, that he was still alive, Rocky engages in a fight with a unit of twenty-three overseers, killing each one of them to save a blind slave they were to kill brutally. With the act, Rocky emerges as a hero in the slaves' eyes. Rocky later orders to burn the twenty-three men's corpses in a huge blaze, warning Kulkarni and Virat that he was ready to kill Garuda, as discussed with them earlier.

An alerted Vanaram, who notices the fire, now informs Garuda of the missing twenty-three overseers. The suspicious fire sends jeeps of his hitmen along with Garuda toward the mines from Garuda's residence. To immediately avert the hitmen from arriving in the mines and finding the slaves burning the overseers, Virat smothers father Suryavardhan, suffocating him to death to cause a huge diversion to sidetrack Garuda, who rushes back home, giving Rocky and the slaves time to burn the overseers' bodies.

Realizing the bad turn of events recently, Garuda orders Goddess Durga's ritual to be preponed from the following week to the very next day, stating that he would kill his father's allies as soon the ritual would be complete. The next day at the mines, Rocky seizes the opportunity, conspires, and unsuspectingly heads through a tunnel to the site where Garuda had decided to behead three slaves as [[human sacrifice|offerings]] to the deity. Simultaneously, Vanaram discovers that the third slave to be beheaded is still inside the palace; realization dawns on him that an imposter who plans to kill Garuda has taken his place. Vanaram rushes towards the site of the sacrifice but is too late. Upon Garuda's return to the site and sacrifice of two slaves, a concealed Rocky emerges and beheads him. The ecstatic slaves accept him as their leader as they cheer him on. The narrator concludes that Rocky intentionally chose KGF to assassinate Garuda, thereby inspiring an army of slaves to seize KGF. However, the narrator indicates that this is just the beginning.

The news of Garuda's murder passes wide and far across the country, as it is shown that Ramika Sen, the newly elected Prime Minister, orders the army to search for Rocky under a death warrant, with a shot of Suryavardhan's brother Adheera, who had been mentioned to be previously killed by Garuda after an assassination attempt, hearing the news of Garuda's death, along with of Inayat Khalil in Dubai. As Vanaram orders his men to attack Rocky and his army, a gunshot is fired, and the movie cuts to black. In the mid-credits, it is shown "To Be Continued: [[K.G.F: Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]".

* [[Yash (actor)|Yash]] as Raja "Rocky" Krishnappa Bhairya,<ref>{{cite web |title='KGF – Chapter 1' film review: Introduces a new Superhero

|url=http://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}}</ref> a young boy who grew up in poverty from his mother's death. He becomes a thug working under the associates of KGF's cult before rising to a liberator.

* [[Srinidhi Shetty]] as Reena Desai, Rocky's love interest and the daughter of Rajendra Desai, one of the company's associates.

* Archana Jois as Shanthamma, Rocky's mother,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title='KGF – Chapter 1' film review: Introduces a new superhero |url=http://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}}</ref> who gave birth to Rocky when KGF was discovered, and died of sickness in Rocky's youth.

* [[Anant Nag]] as Anand Ingalagi, the author of El Dorodo, the controversial book that details supposed true events of Rocky's uprising in the cult.

* Ramesh Indira as Suryavardhan, the founder of the KGF's political cult and father of Garuda, he managed to build the gold trading empire from scratch and makes business off of globally smuggling them.

* Ramachandra Raju as Garuda, the heir to company and Suryavardhan's son, and the main antagonist of the film responsible for the mass slavery and murder caused by the cult in an effort to gain dominion.

* Lakki Lakshman as Rajendra Desai, father of Reena and a high ranking associate of KGF.

* B. S. Avinash as Andrews, the boss of Shetty, whom rocky is a henchman to.

* Tarak Ponnappa as Daya, Andrews' aide

* Dinesh Mangaluru as Shetty, Rocky's employer and a prominent gold smuggler.

* Harish Rai as Khasim, Shetty's aide and Rocky's confidante

* [[T. S. Nagabharana]] as the owner of television news channel ''24/News''

* Ayyappa P. Sharma as Vanaram, commander for KGF

* John Kokken as John, an overseer at KGF

* Puneeth Rudranag as Rugga, an overseer at mines

* T. N. Srinivas Murthy as Narayan, a slave at KGF

* [[Tamannaah Bhatia]] as Milky in a special appearance for an [[item number]] "Jokae"

Followed by the success of ''[[Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari]]'' (2014), [[Yash (actor)|Yash]] signed for four projects as of March 2015, including his one with director [[Prashanth Neel]] (of ''[[Ugramm]]'' fame).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash has signed four films - Times of India|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 }}</ref> The project which was titled as ''KGF'', was considered to be one of the most expensive films in the [[Sandalwood cinema]], whose synopsis is about an ambitious man and his life in the 1970s. [[Hombale Films]], the production house led by Vijay Kiragandur, bankrolled the project,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash turns script doctor for his films - Times of India|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}}</ref> 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."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Yash to shoot for most expensive film in July - Times of India|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}}</ref> The film's director Prashanth Neel, stated that the film will be launched in April 2016, whereas the shooting will begin from May 2016.<ref name=":1" /> [[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 this story is in non-linear format, and the decision to split the film into two parts, also had to with the 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 as a multilingual, he says that it was because the film is based on a unique idea and has a universal theme.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash's 'KGF' is about a gangster's rise and fall - Times of India|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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF was always meant to be a Kannada film with Yash - Times of India|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}}</ref>

In December 2020, during the making of its second instalment ''[[K.G.F: Chapter 2]]'', Prasanth Neel denied rumours of a third instalment in the franchise and claimed that the story will conclude in its second part.<ref>{{Cite web|title="There won't be a part 3 to 'K.G.F'": Director Prashanth Neel squashes every rumor regarding 'K.G.F: Chapter 3' - Times of India|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}}</ref>

The film featured an ensemble cast, most of them 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Is Yash growing his hair for KGF? - Times of India|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}}</ref> Bangalore-based model [[Srinidhi Shetty]], a winner of the Miss Supranational 2016, was cast alongside Yash.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hot pairs to look forward to in 2017 - Times of India|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}}</ref> Srinidhi, a self-confessed fan of Yash claimed that she had watched his films ''[[Drama (2012 film)|Drama]]'' and ''Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari'', and stated that he is one of the actors whom she looks forward to.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash to romance a beauty queen! - Times of India|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}}</ref> In August 2017, Vasishta Simha bagged a pivotal role in the film,<ref>{{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=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=24 November 2018}}</ref> while [[Ramya Krishnan]] and [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] were falsely reported to be a part of the film.<ref>{{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=timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=24 November 2018}}</ref>

In July 2016, the makers kickstarted a 15-day long 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 for construction.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash's movie to begin, but without him! - Times of India|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}}</ref> The film was slated to take off earlier this year, but was pushed because of the problems surrounding the [[Kalasa-Banduri Nala project|Kalasa Banduri issue]], owing to which the team had to cancel its initial shoot schedule plans, followed by the actor's break from shooting films, in order to focus on his wedding with his co-star [[Radhika Pandit]], whom he worked with her in ''Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari'', which was held on Bangalore in December 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash to take a break to focus on his wedding - Times of India|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}}</ref>

The film's shooting took place in January 2017, after completing the final stages of pre-production.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash's most expensive film is ready to roll - Times of India|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}}</ref> On 25 January 2017, the makers erected huge sets at [[Badami]], to replicate [[Kolar]] in the period of 1970-80, thereby filming extensively in the location.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF to be shot in Badami - Times of India|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}}</ref> The art director Shivakumar recreated the Kolar Gold Fields film set of the 1980s and VFX was used as an extension for the film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shinde |first1=Prajwal |title=Art director and VFX responsible for KGF's larger than life visuals |url=http://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}}</ref> Keeping in mind with a freak accident, happened at the sets of ''[[Maasthi Gudi|Masti Gudi]]'' (2017), claiming the lives of two actors in the sets, producer Kirangadur, secured an insurance cover for the crew members working in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Insurance cover for all crew members in Yash's KGF - Times of India|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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A |title=Storm or shine, Rocking star Yash's KGF stays on schedule |url=http://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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF shoot continues despite heavy rains - Times of India|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}}</ref>

As a part of the film's shoot, the makers 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, was also shot at centenary clock tower located next to the campus.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF team gives heritage structure Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion a facelift - Times of India|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}}</ref> Yash entered the final schedule of the film in April 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash heads to final schedule of KGF - Times of India|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}}</ref> In May 2018, actors [[Malavika Avinash]] and [[Anant Nag]], filmed the interview sequence, one of the major scenes in the film's storyline.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Malavika Avinash and Ananth Nag shoot for KGF - Times of India|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}}</ref> 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 makers completed major portions of the film, except one song.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash completes shoot for KGF; starts dubbing for it - Times of India|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}}</ref>

In August 2018, [[Kajal Aggarwal]] was reported to shoot for a song sequence, thus marking her debut in Kannada.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kajal Aggarwal to make Kannada debut with KGF? - Times of India|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}}</ref> However, on 9 August, [[Tamannaah]] was hired for a song number,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamannah Bhatia to make a return to Kannada cinema with a special appearance in 'KGF' - Times of India|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}}</ref> thus making her appearance in second film in Kannada after ''[[Jaguar (2016 film)|Jaguar]]'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamannaah sizzles with Yash in a recreated classic in KGF - Times of India|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}}</ref> On 17 August 2018, the makers announced that shooting of the film has been wrapped,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash wraps up work on director Prashant Neel's 'KGF' - Times of India|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}}</ref> although another song shoot for the film's Hindi version, featuring Yash and [[Mouni Roy]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mouni Roy roped in for a special song in Yash starrer 'KGF' - Times of India|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}}</ref> took place at the Goregaon Studio on 7 and 8 December.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pictures: Mouni Roy and Yash wrap shoot of their song in 'KGF' - Times of India ►|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}}</ref>

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.”<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=‘KGF is about greed and gold’ - Times of India|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}}</ref> Prashant explains about the setting of the film in 1970-80 stating, “In 1978, because of the [[Cold War (1979–1985)|Cold War]] between [[United States|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.”<ref name=":2" /> The film was also inspired by [[action movies]] and [[western movies]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> like ''[[The Good, the Bad and the Ugly]]'' and ''[[For a Few Dollars More]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[Ravi Basrur]] composed the soundtrack album and the film's score, while [[Tanishk Bagchi]] [[remaster]]ed the track "Gali Gali" from ''[[Tridev]]'' (1989) for the film's Hindi version.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The audio rights of the film were purchased by [[Lahari Music]] in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam for {{INR}}3.6 crore, a record sum for any South Indian film, except the Hindi version which was bought by [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The track "Salaam Rocky Bhai" was served as the lead single from the soundtrack album.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|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|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The New Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> It was released in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam on 7 December 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2018-12-07|title=KGF first single: Salaam Rocky Bhai song from Yash's film is out [Lyrical Video]|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-first-single-salaam-rocky-bhai-song-yash-out-tuesday-lyrical-video-787081|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref> along with the full soundtrack album;<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title='KGF' full album out now - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/kgf-to-release-first-song-today/articleshow/66919769.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> whereas 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 [[Soundtrack|original soundtrack]] was released on 10 September 2019, and the second volume was released on 12 October 2019.

On 28 August 2017, the makers announced that ''KGF'' will be made as a multilingual film, which will be released in [[Kannada]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Hindi]] and [[Malayalam]] languages, which will the mark the foray of its crew members (including [[Yash (actor)|Yash]]), in different industries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF to be amultilingual, will release in five languages - Times of India|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}}</ref> The makers planned to release the film in the second half of 2018. On 19 September 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' release date to be announced on 19 September - Times of India|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}}</ref> the makers announced that the first part of the film will be releasing on 16 November 2018 <ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamil star Vishal to announce 'KGF' trailer release date - Times of India|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}}</ref> but the release was postponed to 21 December.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' release postponed to December - Times of India|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}}</ref>

The [[Film distribution|distribution]] rights for the Kannada version were bought by KRG Studios, a sister company of the film's studio Hombale Films. The film's Hindi version was distributed by [[Ritesh Sidhwani|Rithesh Sidhwani]], [[Farhan Akhtar]] and Anil Thadani,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-06|title=Farhan Akhtar on producing KGF: We are enjoying work from cultures and languages which we weren't familiar with|url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/farhan-akhtar-on-producing-kgf-we-are-enjoying-work-from-cultures-and-languages-which-we-werent-familiar-with-1323905/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Bollywood Life|language=en}}</ref> bought the rights under their banners [[Excel Entertainment]] and [[AA Films]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF gets major boost as Farhan Akhtar partners for Hindi version of the film - Times of India|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}}</ref> The rights for the Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions were sold to [[Vishal Film Factory]] and [[Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘KGF’ sells Tamil and Telugu dubbing rights - Times of India|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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leading distributors bag Tamil, Telugu rights to KGF |url=http://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}}</ref> The Malayalam-dubbed rights of the film were sold to [[Global United Media]].<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF: Chapter 1' to release in 1800 to 2000 theaters across the country - Times of India|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}}</ref>

''K.G.F: Chapter 1'' received a U/A certificate from the [[Central Board of Film Certification]] in early December 2018.<ref>{{cite news |author=Abhijith |title=Yash Starrer KGF: Chapter 1 Gets U/A Certificate From Censor Board! |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2018/yash-starrer-kgf-chapter-1-gets-u-a-certificate-from-censor-board-280278.html |access-date=23 December 2018 |work=Filmibeat |date=8 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223052911/https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2018/yash-starrer-kgf-chapter-1-gets-u-a-certificate-from-censor-board-280278.html |archive-date=23 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> It was reported that the film would be released in 1,800–2,200 screens worldwide,<ref>{{cite news |title=Yash's multilingual 'KGF' to hit 2,000 screens across the country |url=http://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}}</ref> the widest ever release for a Kannada film.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> However, it was later reported that the film was released in 2,460 screens, that included 1,500 for the Hindi version, 400 each for Kannada and Telugu, 100 for Tamil and 60 for Malayalam.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The advance booking for the shows were started on 16 December 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-17|title=KGF - Kolar Gold Fields Advance Booking: Shattering Response In Bengaluru!|url=https://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/kgf-kolar-gold-fields-advance-booking-update-shattering-response-in-bengaluru/|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Koimoi|language=en-US}}</ref> and saw a tremendous response upon its initial bookings.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Following its response, the makers alloted early morning shows at 4:00&nbsp;a.m. for the preview.<ref>{{Cite web|title=4 am show for KGF in Bengaluru tomorrow! - Times of India|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}}</ref> The film was released in the [[United States|U.S.]] and [[Canada]] on 20 December 2018 and in [[India]] the following day.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film released in [[Malaysia]] on 28 December and in [[United Kingdom]] on 4 January 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The Hindi-dubbed version of the film was released in 71 screens in [[Pakistan]] on 11 January and became the first Kannada film to be released there, although ''[[Lucia (film)|Lucia]]'' (2013) was screened at [[film festival]]s and had no theatrical release in the country.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

KGF was screened at the 11th [[Bangalore 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' and ‘Mookajjiya Kanasu' take top honours at 11th International Film Festival - Times of India|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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

=== Marketing ===

 

 

=== Complications ===

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 the history of [[Kolar]] in poor light.<ref>{{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}}</ref> However, the producer Kiragandur stated that the film will be released on the said date, and asked fans to avoid rumours.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 27 December 2018, the makers issued a statement that the shows in [[Australia]] were cancelled due to unauthorized screening, as the distributors of the film did not consult the producers of the original.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shows of Yash starrer 'KGF' cancelled in Australia as producers issue a statement, here's what happened|url=https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/others/shows-of-yash-starrer-kgf-cancelled-in-australia-as-producers-issue-a-statement-heres-what-happened.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Republic World|language=en}}</ref>

On 18 December 2018, a few scenes from the film were leaked onto the social networking sites,<ref>{{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}}</ref> although Karthik Gowda, the executive producer labeled it a rumour, and also clarified that the makers have issued a team to fight against online piracy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Yash starrer 'KGF' to fight against online piracy - Times of India|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}}</ref> Despite measures taken, [[Copyright infringement|pirated versions]] of the film were made available before its release.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tamilrockers leaks superstar Yash's 'KGF: Chapter One' movie for download|url=https://www.republicworld.com/entertainment-news/regional-indian-cinema/tamilrockers-leak-superstar-yash-starrer-kgf-chapter-one-movie-for-do.html|access-date=2021-01-09|website=Republic World|language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, the producers sued a local television channel, for premiering the film's Telugu version illegally.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF: Chapter 1': Makers of Yash starrer to sue a local channel for airing the film illegally - Times of India|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}}</ref>

The film's digital rights were sold to [[Amazon Prime Video]] for ₹18 crore,<ref name="online">{{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}}</ref> and premiered on 5 February 2019, along with its dubbed versions.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Colors Kannada]] bought the satellite rights for an undisclosed record price,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and hosted its premiere on 30 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF world television premiere on March 30 - Times of India|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}}</ref> The Tamil version of the film was telecast through [[Colors Tamil]] on 7 April.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Sony Pictures Networks India|Sony Pictures Networks]], acquired the satellite rights of the Hindi version.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2018-12-27|title=Yash's KGF digital and satellite rights sold for astronomical figure|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/yashs-kgf-digital-satellite-rights-sold-astronomical-figure-788821|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref>

The film's Telugu version was premiered on [[Star Maa]], on 5 July 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=David|date=2020-06-30|title=KGF: 18 months after its theatrical release, Telugu version of Yash-starrer to have TV premiere|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-18-months-after-its-theatrical-release-telugu-version-yash-starrer-have-tv-premiere-823546|access-date=2021-01-09|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> and registered an average TRP rating of 11.9, with many citing the premiere was delayed for more than 18 months, since the date of theatrical release.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The film was re-released in the [[United States]] in 35 locations on 31 January 2019, becoming the first Kannada film to be re-released in the country.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 1 November 2019, coinciding with the occasion of [[Karnataka Rajyotsava|Kannada Rajyotsava]], the makers re-released the film at 25 to 30 centres across [[Karnataka]], with a week run during its release.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF: Chapter 1' to be re-released on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava - Times of India|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 }}</ref> The film's Hindi version was re-released in [[PVR Cinemas|PVR]], [[INOX Leisure Limited|Inox]] and [[Cinépolis|Cinepolis]] theatres, on 23–29 October 2020.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''K.G.F: Chapter 1'' received positive response from audiences while critics gave the film mixed reviews.<ref>{{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}}</ref> While its cinematography, [[Art director|art direction]], narration, stunt sequences, background score and acting performances received acclamation, critics had mixed comments about the screenplay, dialogues and editing.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Reviewing for ''[[Deccan Herald]]'', Vivek M. V. felt that the "grandeur" lay in the film's "fantastically gripping story". He wrote praises of the film's narration, its "brilliant" editing and "riveting sequences".<ref>{{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}}</ref> Sunayana Suresh of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave the film rating of three-and-a-half out of five and wrote 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 narrated in a "non-linear" fashion the "most interesting part of the film". She commended the performance as Yash in that he "lives his character to the fullest".<ref>{{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 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/kgf/movie-review/67187039.cms |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018}}</ref> Troy Ribeiro of ''News18'' echoed her sentiment and wrote, "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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> The reviewer for ''[[Hindustan Times]]'', Priyanka Sundar, called the film a "story of greed and redemption" and remarked that it "burns bright". While praising the "promising" background score, "sharp" editing and "stunning" visuals, she felt that the screenplay could have been "tighter".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Shashiprasad S. M. of ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' scored the film a two-and-a-half out of five star rating and described the film as "a visual spectacle". Barring that, he felt it fell short of "instilling the much-needed life into it."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Karthik Keramalu of ''Film Companion'' felt that the film fell short of "becoming a great movie by a long mile". He dismissed the dialogues delivered by Yash's character as "lengthy sermon about his own valour", while also criticizing the film's editing.<ref>{{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/kgf-chapter1-movie-review-prashanth-neel-yash-srinidhi-shetty-anant-nag/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222133626/https://www.filmcompanion.in/kgf-chapter1-movie-review-prashanth-neel-yash-srinidhi-shetty-anant-nag/ |archive-date=22 December 2018 |website=Film Companion |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=21 December 2018}}</ref>

Excepting 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."<ref>{{cite web |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}}</ref> Manoj Kumar R. of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' scored the film two-and-a-half out of five stars and deemed it "[a]n overstretched exercise in hero worship". While drawing comparisons of certain scenes to those from ''[[Baahubali (franchise)|Baahubali]]'', he felt the film had a "flimsy storyline", which he added is made up for by "terrific background orchestra".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Sunaina Suresh of [[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." And further added that, "The first chapter shows Rocky as the maverick mastermind who will stop at nothing in order to achieve his mission."<ref>{{citation|url=https://m.timesofindia.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]]}}</ref> Troy Ribeiro of [[News 18]] said that "Rocky is the new Superhero in the town."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''KGF: Chapter 1'' on the first day of its release collected ₹25 crore worldwide <ref name="bz">{{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}}</ref> which was the highest opening in the [[Kannada Film Industry|Kannada film industry]], In Karnataka's capital [[Bengaluru]] alone, the film earned about ₹5 crore on the first day.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film registered a gross of 59.61 crore, at the worldwide box office on its first three days, becoming the fastest Kannada film to gross ₹50 crore.<ref name="Ind">{{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}}</ref> The film grossed around ₹113 crore worldwide in the first week of its release,<ref>{{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}}</ref> becoming the first Kannada film to gross ₹100 crores.<ref>{{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}}</ref> On 9 January 2019, trade analysts announced that the film entered the ₹200 crore mark, thus becoming the first Kannada film to do so.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> It went on to gross around ₹250 crores<ref name="kgf1"/> and completed a theatrical run of over 100 days in a couple of centres in [[Karnataka]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''KGF: Chapter 1'' on the first day of its release collected ₹18.10 crore net at the domestic box office.<ref>https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-box-office-collection-day-1-rocking-star-yashs-film-smashes-all-records-788518</ref> The Hindi version raked in more than ₹2 crore at the box office on the first day.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' box office collection Day 1: The Yash starrer earns Rs 18 crore across all formats on its opening day - Times of India|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}}</ref> On the second day (22 December), the film outdid first day its collections, with a worldwide collection of ₹25 crore.<ref name="bz"/> First weekend collections stood around ₹59.6 crore worldwide from all its versions,<ref>{{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}}</ref> whereas the Hindi-dubbed version collected over ₹9 crore.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' box office collection Day 3: The Yash starrer action entertainer collects Rs 52.25 crore across all formats on its opening weekend - Times of India|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}}</ref> On the fourth day, the film collected an approximately ₹80 crore<ref>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</ref> while the Hindi version saw a jump of 45% on Monday.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' box office collection Day 4: The Prashanth Neel directorial starring Yash collects Rs 13.75 crore across all formats on Monday - Times of India|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}}</ref> On 25 December 2018, the film saw a steep incline on the box office due to [[Christmas]] holidays, collecting more than ₹84 crore upon release.<ref>{{Cite web|title='KGF' box office collection Day 5: The Yash and Srinidhi Shetty starrer collects Rs 4.25 crore on Tuesday - Times of India|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}}</ref> The fifth day collections, stood up to ₹100 crore.<ref>https://www.zeebiz.com/india/photo-gallery-kgf-box-office-collection-day-6-kannada-hindi-total-worldwide-yash-starrer-another-record-77684</ref>

The film collected more than ₹105 crore at the domestic box office in the first week of release.<ref>{{Cite web|title=KGF strikes gold at the box office - Times of India|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}}</ref> As of 10 days, the film had collected ₹87 crore from Karnataka, ₹1.60 crore from [[Kerala]], ₹6.1 crore from [[Tamil Nadu]] and ₹14.50 crore from Telugu speaking states.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film entered the 100 crore mark in Karnataka on the fifteenth day of box office, thus becoming the first film in Karnataka to do so.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

It collected over ₹134 crore in Karnataka and became the highest-grossing film in that state, beating the previous record of ''[[Baahubali 2: The Conclusion]]''.<ref>{{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 &#124; Entertainment News|website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The film collected ₹24.39 crore in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, ₹3.18 crore in Kerala and ₹8.82 crore in Tamil Nadu, thus the film earned more than ₹171.75 crore across in theatres across South India.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-03-06|title=KGF Worldwide Box Office Collections: Crosses Rs 200 Crore! Creates 100 Crore Club In Karnataka|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2019/yash-kgf-total-worldwide-box-office-collections-crosses-200-crore-creates-100-crore-club-in-karnatak-283510.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Filmibeat|language=en}}</ref> Its Hindi version earned more than ₹40.39 crore, thus ''K.G.F: Chapter 1'' became the fourth highest grossing [[Hindi language|Hindi]] dubbed film after the [[Baahubali (franchise)|''Baahubali'' franchise]], and [[2.0 (film)|''2.0'']].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=K.G.F – Chapter 1 Box Office Collection till Now {{!}} Box Collection - Bollywood Hungama|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kgf-dubbed/box-office/|access-date=2021-01-11|language=en}}</ref> The film earned more than ₹204 crore at the domestic box office.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''K.G.F'' which was premiered in more than 100 theatres in 50 locations,<ref>{{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|language=en}}</ref> became the fastest Kannada film to cross $200k and $300k in the United States box office.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> As of 25 December, the film earned $413,214, thus also becoming the first film to earn $400k at the box office.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Within the end of the first week ''K.G.F'' collected more than $522,848, at the box office,<ref>{{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}}</ref> thus ''KGF'' became the first [[Kannada cinema|Sandalwood film]] to cross half million ($500k) dollar in [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2018-12-28|title=KGF box office collection Day 7: Here is how much Yash's film collects in its 1st week in US|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-box-office-collection-day-7-here-how-much-yashs-film-collects-its-1st-week-us-788837|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref>

At 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.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2019-01-02|title=KGF box office collection: Yash's film set to reach $700K in the US|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-box-office-collection-yashs-film-set-reach-700k-us-789133|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref> Thereafter, the collection saw a normal dip and has ended its lifetime collection at $805,637 in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2019-01-24|title=KGF box office collection: Here is the lifetime collection of Yash's film in the US|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-box-office-collection-here-lifetime-collection-yashs-film-us-790644|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref>

Apart from USA, the film collected £22,656 in [[United Kingdom]], $9,539 in [[New Zealand]] and RM 11,406 in [[Malaysia]],<ref name=":3" /> to collect a cumulative $1.5 million in overseas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kgf-box-office-collection-day-15-yash-starrer-enters-third-week-us-789368|title=KGF box office collection day 15: Yash-starrer enters third week in the US|first=Prakash|last=Upadhyaya|date=5 January 2019|website=International Business Times, India Edition}}</ref>

! Recipient(s)  

!scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[Karnataka State Film Awards]]

| [[Karnataka State Film Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]]  

| rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/karnataka-state-film-awards-2018-raghavendra-rajkumar-and-meghana-raj-bag-top-honours-check-out-all-winners/articleshow/73186197.cms|title=Karnataka State Film Awards 2018: Raghavendra Rajkumar and Meghana Raj bag top honours; check out all winners|date=10 January 2020|work=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref>

| {{Won}}  

| rowspan="27"|2019

| rowspan="8" |<ref>https://www.zeekannada.zee5.com/hemmeya-kannadiga-awards-2019-winners-list-a-big-win-for-rachitha-ram-yash-and-chikkana/amp/</ref>

| Ramachandra Raju

| Best Lyrisist

| [[Nagendra Prasad]]

| rowspan="11"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood/160819/siima-awards-2019-vijay-yash-keerthi-kgf-win-big-heres-full-winn.html|title=SIIMA Awards 2019: Vijay, Yash, Keerthi, KGF win big, here's full winners list|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/south/siima-awards-2019-kgf-star-yash-pulls-suave-look-all-blue-attire-and-wins-best-actor-award-468093?amp|title=SIIMA Awards 2019: KGF star Yash pulls off a suave look in an all blue attire and wins Best Actor Award |website=www.pinkvilla.com}}</ref>

Before the release of its predecessor in December 2018, the makers shot 20% of its second part, and the crew went on double shifts till January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> The film has Yash and Srinidhi Shetty reprising their roles from the first part, while [[Sanjay Dutt]]<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> and [[Raveena Tandon]]<ref>{{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}}</ref> were cast in pivotal roles. The shooting of the film kick started on 13 March 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''K.G.F: Chapter 2'', was originally scheduled to hit theatres on 23 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> But the release was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]].<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> On January 2021, the makers announced a new release date of 16 July 2021,<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2021-01-30|title=‘KGF: Chapter 2’ to release on July 16|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/yashs-kgf-chapter-2-to-release-on-july-16/article33702365.ece|access-date=2021-02-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> in [[Kannada]] and also in dubbed versions of [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Malayalam]] languages.<ref>{{Cite web|title=It's out! Yash's KGF: Chapter 2 to release on July 16 - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/its-out-yashs-kgf-chapter-2-to-release-on-july-16/articleshow/80586641.cms|access-date=2021-02-03|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

== Impact ==

{{Blockquote|text=The success of 'KGF' means a lot to the [[Kannada cinema|Kannada industry]], 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 Kannada industry. It has justified the talent of [[Prashanth Neel]].|author=|title=|source=Yash in an interview about [[Indo Asian News Service|IANS]], post the success of KGF.<ref>{{Cite web|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|date=7 March 2019|via=Business Standard}}</ref>}}

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,<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> while [[Puneeth Rajkumar]] and [[Shah Rukh Khan]] also appreciated Yash and its makers.<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> [[Raveena Tandon]],<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> [[Rashmika Mandanna]],<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> [[Ram Gopal Varma]]<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> and [[Sumalatha|Sumalatha Ambareesh]] (wife of late actor [[Ambareesh]])<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> also praised Yash's performance. Tamil actor [[Vijay (actor)|Vijay]] who watched the special screening of the film on 20 January 2019 in [[Chennai]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Prakash|date=2019-01-20|title=Thalapathy Vijay gives thumbs-up for Yash's KGF|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/thalapathy-vijay-gives-thumbs-yashs-kgf-790272|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-11|website=www.ibtimes.co.in|language=en}}</ref> praised the team for its brilliant filmmaking, and also actor Yash for his performance.<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref>

Following the box office performance of the film, on 3 January 2019, the [[Income Tax Department]] raided homes of several film stars and producers from the Kannada industry,<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> including the film's actors Yash and its producer, Vijay Kiragandur,<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref> and its actors have also been asked to provide details of his remuneration for the film, throwing light on the fact that the movie's performance was considered to be the reason behind the IT raid.<ref>{{Cite web|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}}</ref>

In a March 2018 interview with ''[[Indo-Asian News Service|IANS]]'', Yash stated that "The success of ''K.G.F: Chapter 1'', boosted morale of Kannada film industry. This success means a lot to all the untapped talent of our industry".<ref>{{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|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-11|website=Outlook India}}</ref> K.G.F also established Kannada cinema, to make multilingual films, with the 2019 releases [[Pailwaan]], [[Kurukshetra (2019 film)|Kurukshetra]] and [[Avane Srimannarayana]] were released in multiple languages.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Shjilpa Sebastian wrote an article for ''[[The Hindu]]'' titled, ''2019: The year when Kannada cinema went national'', in which she stated that the film "changed the game plan for the Kannada film industry".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

KGF became the most streamed film on [[Amazon Prime Video]] on 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Director [[Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar]], chairman of the [[Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy]], praised the film stating "We can expect more KGFs in the future. Not everyone can make a KGF, but its success can inspire more quality filmmaking using both local and international technicians."<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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|url-status=live|access-date=2021-01-11|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Indian films]]

[[Category:Masala films]]

[[Category:Mining in film]]