Kantara: Chapter 1 Review – Rishab Shetty’s Mythic Spectacle Blends Power, Faith, and Folklore but Falters in Pacing | ★★★½
Rishab Shetty’s Kantara (2022) was a cultural wave a story rooted in land, faith, and folklore that became a pan-India phenomenon. With Kantara: Chapter 1, Shetty turns the clock back by 1,500 years to explore the origins of the legend. The film is grander, more ambitious, and thematically richer, but also uneven in stretches, especially in its early portions.
Story & Setting
The film introduces Berme (Rishab Shetty), a tribal youth deeply connected to the forest’s divine energy. His fate collides with royalty: Kulashekara (Gulshan Devaiah), the arrogant heir obsessed with power; Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth), the poised and dignified princess; and King Rajashekara (Jayaram), whose authority masks inner conflict. The clash between land, divinity, and politics gradually shapes the mythical universe of Kantara.
Performances
- Rishab Shetty is outstanding — raw, intense, and spiritually charged. His performance as Berme layers vulnerability with divine ferocity.
- Gulshan Devaiah makes a fantastic antagonist, menacing yet complex, lifting every scene he’s in.
- Rukmini Vasanth brings quiet dignity and emotional weight, while Jayaram lends regal gravitas.
Technical Brilliance
- Cinematography (Arvind Kashyap): The forest becomes a living, breathing character — at once beautiful, ominous, and mystical. Rituals, landscapes, and battles are framed with breathtaking precision.
- Music & Sound (Ajaneesh Loknath): One of the film’s strongest pillars. The chants, drums, and crescendos elevate every moment — from intimate prayers to large-scale battles. Goosebump-inducing background score.
Arvind Kashyap’s Cinematography, VFX & Action : A Visual Spectacle
- One of the strongest pillars of Kantara: Chapter 1 is undoubtedly Arvind Kashyap’s cinematography, which once again elevates the film to a grand canvas. His lens doesn’t just capture the raw beauty of nature – the dense forests, the misty backwaters, and the rugged landscapes – but also delves into the intimate emotional beats of its characters. The way Kashyap blends natural light with earthy tones creates an immersive, almost spiritual experience that feels authentic to the world of Kantara.
- The VFX work deserves a special mention, seamlessly complementing Kashyap’s visuals. From the larger-than-life mythological sequences to the finely detailed background enhancements, the effects never overshadow the story but rather enhance its scale. Industry insiders have already highlighted how the visual detailing ensures that audiences remain hooked without feeling the fatigue of CGI-heavy spectacles.
- Adding to this, the action choreography is breathtaking, rooted in a rustic yet impactful style. The fight sequences feel raw and grounded, while still delivering a theatrical punch. The stunts and chase sequences are executed with a precision that balances realism with cinematic appeal, leaving audiences with adrenaline-pumping moments that will stay long after the credits roll.
- Together, cinematography, VFX, and action form a visual trinity that not only makes Kantara: Chapter 1 stand apart from other festive releases but also positions it as one of the most technically accomplished Indian films of the year.
Highs & Lows
While the second half soars, the first half struggles. The buildup is stretched with heavy exposition and occasional misplaced humour. The momentum falters until the narrative finds rhythm in its battles and rituals. The climax, however, delivers a spiritual and emotional high, reminiscent of the visceral impact of the original Kantara.
✅ Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rishab Shetty’s commanding performance | Overlong, expository first half |
| Gulshan Devaiah’s menacing antagonist | Uneven pacing, loss of focus early on |
| Rukmini Vasanth adds dignity & balance | Humour feels forced in places |
| Ajaneesh Loknath’s thunderous BGM | Doesn’t fully recreate raw magic of Part 1 |
| Arvind Kashyap’s stunning cinematography | |
| Grand action blocks & immersive rituals |
Verdict
Kantara: Chapter 1 is not as raw or intimate as the 2022 original, but it is undeniably ambitious, laying the mythological foundation for a larger saga. The film rewards patient viewers with a visually spellbinding second half, electrifying rituals, and a spiritually charged climax.
⭐ Rating: 3.5/5
Uneven but powerful - Kantara: Chapter 1 is a mythic spectacle that falters in setup but soars in payoff, cementing Rishab Shetty’s place among India’s most visionary storytellers.
