Movie: Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1
Rating: 3.25/5
Rating: 3.25/5
Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram and others
Director: Rishab Shetty
Produced By: Hombale Films
Release Date: 02-10-2025
Kantara: Chapter 1 explores the origin story of the daivas and Guliga, characters introduced in the first Kantara film. Rishab Shetty plays Berme, a tribal warrior from the village of Kantara, which is in conflict with the neighboring Kadamba kingdom. King Vijayendra (Jayaram) maintains a tense peace with Kantara due to a painful past, but his son Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah) seeks revenge and wants to take control of the forest. Princess Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth) sympathizes with Berme and tries to improve the situation. Meanwhile, Berme faces many challenges as he promises to protect his people and their traditions.
Performances:
Rishab Shetty delivers a powerful performance as Berme, especially during key transformation scenes. Rukmini Vasanth starts off as a typical character but grows stronger in the second half and performs well. Gulshan Devaiah, despite his talent, doesn’t leave much impact due to weak writing. Jayaram is natural in his role, and the supporting cast fits well.
What worked for the Film:
The film aims to recreate the emotional depth of Kantara (2022) with a larger and more intense setup. The beginning and interval scenes are effective, while the second half works better overall. The Guliga sequence stands out, and the climax mirrors the spiritual energy of the original with a divine extension. The action scenes are impressive, supported by excellent visuals and VFX.
What did not work for the Film:
However, the film has some uneven moments, especially in the first half. The comedy feels forced after a point, and the romantic track lacks strength. Kulasekhara’s character feels too predictable and doesn’t add much to the story. One wishes Rishab Shetty should have stressed more into the backstory of the daivas and their link to the Kantara.
Kantara Chapter 1 Review and Verdict:
Rishab Shetty shines with Kantara Chapter 1 as an actor and director. The film offers thrilling sequences, an engaging backstory, and high-energy action scenes. While a few parts feel underwhelming and slightly repetitive, it concludes with a strong and lasting impact.
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