Kantara Chapter 1 Review: Rishabh Shetty Weaves a Visually Stunning Prequel That Expands the Mythical Universe

Rishabh Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ begins with a promise he made to the public outside the theater itself. His 2022 film ‘Kantara’ had created a world based on a fable, showing a story the public had never seen before. This film has become iconic in itself in creating a new world on the cinema screen. In such a situation, the challenge before Rishabh was that Kantara Chapter 1 was not just to keep the previous level, but to go one step further than that. Did Rishabh succeed? We’re watching the movie to answer this, and at the same time giving you these reviews… ‘Kantara‘, released during the COVID era, had made the audience crazy in the year 2022 with its divine mysticism and folktale-dominated style. Made with a budget of 16 crores, that film collected a huge 309.64 crores net at the desi box office. She not only became an all-time blockbuster but was also remembered as a cultural phenomenon.

Since 2022, there has been an extraordinary curiosity among the audience about its prequel. Now ‘Kantara: Chapter 1′, written, directed, and starring Rishabh Shetty, has hit the big screen on the occasion of Dussehra. The film conveys the eternal message of the victory of good over evil on the one hand, but it does not remain limited to mere preaching. Takes us to a world as a visual treat on screen, where culture, traditions, and mysticism combine to create a compelling cinematic experience. It is generally seen that after the first part is successful, when the budget of the film increases for the second part, the makers ruin it. ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ did not. The beginning of the film is good. Yes, the makers have definitely wandered somewhere in between, but in the end, they once again brought the film alive.

Kantara Chapter 1 Review: The Story Plot

The story begins with a tyrannical ruler of the Kadamba dynasty, whose power and thirst are limitless. There is so much hunger within him that he wants to subdue every piece of land. The temptation of greed and power blinds him to such an extent that he does not hesitate to crush humanity. His eyes also fall on Kantara‘s divine and supernatural world. But Kantara‘s divine guardians, Panjurali Daiva, Guliga Daiva, and Varaha Roop (who are inspired by the Varaha incarnation of Vishnu and represent the uncontrolled energy of the forest and its conservation), stand firm in his path. As a result, the ruler becomes a victim of the wrath of supernatural powers. In this struggle, the descendants of that tyrannical ruler escape, but instead of extinguishing the spark of animosity, it becomes deeper. Decades later, the story takes us to Bangra State, where Raj Vijayendra (Jayaram) has crowned his ruthless and autocratic son Rajasekhar (Gulshan Devaiah). The responsibility of the treasure is in the hands of his worthy and beautiful daughter Kanakavati (Rukmini Vasant). Meanwhile, on the sacred land of Kantara, a young man named Beremi (Rishabh Shetty) moves forward with the dream of uplifting his backward and exploited clan. It is of the view that the community can prosper economically by selling grains and medicinal herbs that have emerged from the fertile soil of Kantara.

Beremi attempts to trade with his people at the port of Bangra. But this is where the real confrontation begins, between Beremy’s dreams and the ruler’s greed, and above all between human authority and supernatural powers. This conflict gradually takes on a monstrous form and turns the story towards a mysterious, thrilling, and philosophical journey. ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ begins with the mystery, which was left unfinished in the first film― Shiva, his father, and why do the ghost-collators from them in previous generations disappear only in that one dark place in the forest? The answer to this mystery lies in the fable, only touched on in the previous movie. Now you dig deeper into this narrative. The story takes you to a forest and the king’s rule. King first in this part, and a wall stands in the woods. But curiosity to look beyond that wall in future generations drives the story.

Narrating the story, explaining the background to you in the first half. This setup takes time. Maybe you’re going to give up patience in some places, but that’s when Rishabh opens the cards of his new world. He’s the leader of the jungle community, named Berme. The way this world of the jungle has been created, there is so much detail in it that seeing it, you become convinced of Rishabh’s storytelling. Princess Kanakavati enters. Rukmini Vasant, playing the character, draws attention from the first frame. Berme and Kanakavati’s chemistry rivals the best love stories. Then comes the conflict of the story. Which is crimped in an interval block. While you were gonna lose patience with the movie speaking a little too much in the beginning, this block hasn’t spoken a word. Everything’s happening on screen. Visuals have emotion, expressions, and symbols.

Technically, at a visual level, in storytelling, Rishabh’s mastery is visible in creating a new world. ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ has an atmosphere set, and the visual experience is amazing. Action’s fantastic. World-building, romance’s gonna arrest you. Now see what magic happens in the second half. ‘Kantara Chapter 1‘s second half is its life. As far as the film reached by the end of the first half, it was like a door that was opened for the future. Where you step as the second half begins, there’s the mystery of the whole movie. Jungle myths are opening up here. Mythological powers are now at the height of their game. Now you can’t even imagine the twist the story takes. Salutes the film’s writing team. The twist he’s given to the story with this visually amazing world, magical music score, and cinematic technique is like a great thriller.

Kantara Chapter 1 Review and Analysis

Director Rishabh Shetty’s ‘Kantara: Chapter 1′ opens with a voice-over, which leads the audience to a mysterious backstory. Shetty devotes time to the fabric of the supernatural world, due to which the initial part feels a little stretched. The first part focuses on the harassment, emotions, and setting of the characters, but after the interval, the story suddenly picks up pace and presents the audience with such an amazing visual treat that keeps them engaged till the end. Although the run time of the film is long, it has to be acknowledged that this second production of Rishabh Shetty looks even higher from the perspective of a film. The film is not limited to just the struggle between untruth and truth, but also brings out conflicts like rich-poor, peace-anger, civilization-forest sensitively and thrillingly. Be it a gorilla-style fight, an uncontrollable chariot scene, or a spectacular climax action sequence, every moment is decorated with gorgeous cinematography, spectacular VFX, huge sets, and action sequences crafted in an epic style. The background score and lyrics not only add to all this, but also take the entire experience to greater heights.

By playing the triple role of director, writer, and actor, Rishabh Shetty truly makes the saying ‘Sone Par Suhaga’ come true. Their layered payment impresses at every level. His agility and intensity in the action sequence thrill the audience, his sensitivity touches the heart in emotional moments, while his form completely invades the song, incarnating in the form of a god. Rukmini Vasant, the new edition of the film, not only adds to the screen with her beauty, but also surprises the audience with the twist in her character. Gulshan Devaiah as Rajasekhar strengthens the story with his distinctive style. At the same time, Jairam Subramaniam, in the role of Vijayendra, makes the character authentic with his experience and depth. The rest of the supporting actors also do complete justice to their respective characters as per the theme and sentiments of the film. Overall, this teamwork makes the story even more lively and effective.

Along with acting in the lead role, directing is not easy, but Rishabh has once again done wonders in this genre. He has woven many scenes of the film very beautifully. However, he could have done some things better. After the second part, the film is dull for a few moments, which he could have saved by reducing the length of the film. Anyway, overall, Rishabh’s work is good. The soul of the previous part of ‘Kantara’ he retained in this film as well. The action sequence of Jungle and many scenes of Rudra Guliga have turned out well. The background music of the film is perfect for every scene. The songs are in the proper place and limited. These don’t seem to be unnecessary stuff in the film. The pre-interval action scene is very powerful, and the background music has added more life to it. Visually, South films are very beautiful. There is no dearth of forests, mountains, and valleys in the film. The choreography of the action scene is very good and something new. Many action scenes shot in single takes increase the heartbeat. A lot happens in a moment, and only wow comes out of your mouth.

There were some advantages and some disadvantages of increasing the budget of this film. While on one hand, VFX became better than before, on the other hand, the makers gave it the form of a period-war drama as its budget increased. While the first part was completely focused on devotion, the first part of this film is spent in laughter and joking. There are too many comedy scenes in the film. There are too many, and when they come again and again, it feels like the film has deviated from the original story. As its scale increased, there was no need to make it a war drama like ‘Baahubali’. It could have been made more devotional. However, Rishabh handled whatever film wanders in the second part with his acting in the end. The climax scene is worth watching. Especially when she takes the form of Chavundi Devi.

On the high note on which the second half started with a twist of surging emotions, I was worried that the film’s energy might start going down towards the climax. But where Rishabh has brought energy in the entire second half will be remembered in Indian cinema. Side of climax important sequence ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ Mythology has Rishabh had to go to a character completely graphics ready in one place. This makes the feel of that sequence different from the visuals that still look real. But this is completely the visual grammar of Rishabh’s story, which still keeps you engaged in the story. Climax takes the film to an even higher note than where the second half started. ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ ends with a promise of another movie. But Rishabh’s created world, his filmmaking, and his brilliant work stay with you. On the climax side, this film rises above cinema in one place and makes one feel something that cannot be said. Keep an eye on the film’s lead actress, Rukmini Vasant; you have no idea what she is going to do next in this story. War scenes rival Historical War dramas. Action choreography is the high point of the movie. ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ watching your country’s culture can also make you feel pride. And Rishabh feels proud that he has made it such a wonderful experience in his cinematic style. It’s become a movie that feels different, something new, every time it’s seen.

Technical Prowess: A Masterful Cinematic Canvas

This is where the increased budget shines. Kantara Chapter 1 is a visual treat.

• Cinematography & VFX: The film is gorgeous. The lush forests, the grand sets, and the intricate depiction of the mythical world are captured with an eye for breathtaking detail. While there’s one CGI-heavy character that feels slightly different from the grounded realism, it fits Rishabh’s unique visual grammar and doesn’t break immersion.
• Action Choreography: The action sequences are a high point. From gorilla-style fights to an uncontrollable chariot scene and the spectacular climax, the choreography is raw, innovative, and epic. Several long-take shots will leave you breathless, eliciting a spontaneous “wow.”
• Background Score & Music: The score is the film’s pulsating heart. It elevates every scene, from the tranquil moments of community life to the frenetic action sequences, taking the entire experience to a transcendent level. The songs are well-placed and never feel like unnecessary insertions.

Kantara Chapter 1 Review: The Last Words

Kantara Chapter 1 is not just a film, but an experience. It presents folklore, faith, and the mystery of the jungle with brilliant visuals and powerful acting. Some graphics are weak in the second half, but the film as a whole is watchable and exciting. Want to see a mysterious, powerful film based on mythological folklore? If you want to experience something on screen that has great acting along with horror, then ‘Kantara Chaptar 1′ is for you. If you are a fan of South films and the Kantara series, then you should not question whether to watch it or not. Yes, if you don’t like films with much action, then you can think, because this time the scale is bigger and the action is also bigger and more. Don’t wait for a post-credit scene. Be prepared to listen to another legend. Gulshan Devaiah’s character is written on the line of a debauched king; he has given a good performance, but Jayaram, who became Raja Rajashekhar, has surprised everyone and given a brilliant performance. To protect the forest on the occasion of Dussehra, this story of Lord Shiva and Mother Chamunda’s Gana, the Gods, is a perfect release. Don’t miss it.

Star Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, and others

Director: Rishab Shetty

Filmyhype.com Ratings: 4/5 (four stars)