Kantara Chapter 1 – Movie Review
Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 expands the celebrated world of Kantara into an ambitious prequel that stretches across mythology, folklore, and history. Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film explores the origins of divine traditions and human conflict, offering audiences both a visual spectacle and a spiritual journey.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its technical craft. Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap frames the coastal landscapes with sweeping grandeur, while Ajaneesh Loknath’s score shifts seamlessly between haunting chants and pulsating rhythms. Large-scale battle sequences and divine rituals are staged with conviction, immersing the audience in a mythical past that feels both cinematic and authentic.
Rishab Shetty, in a dual role as director and lead actor, delivers an intense performance as Berme, a warrior-mystic caught between faith and destiny. Rukmini Vasanth adds grace and depth as Kanakavathi, while Gulshan Devaiah brings sharp presence to his role. Together, the cast ensures that the film never loses its emotional core amid the grandeur.
Yet, the film is not without its shortcomings. The first half often drags under the weight of exposition, with pacing issues that test the audience’s patience. Critics and viewers alike point to narrative slackness and an overstuffed structure that at times dilutes the central story. The second half, however, redeems the film, building towards a climactic sequence that many describe as goosebump-inducing.
Kantara: Chapter 1 may not capture the raw, grounded energy that made the original Kantara such a breakout phenomenon, but it succeeds as a bold, visually striking addition to the saga. It is a film of ambition and scale, carrying the spirit of folklore into epic cinema.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
