Director - Rishab Shetty 
Cast - Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Pramod Shetty, Rakesh Poojari, Prakash Thuminad, Deepak Rai Panaje, Hariprashanth M G, Shaneel Gautham and Naveen Bondel 
Duration – 168Min 
 
There are movies that amuse, and then there are movies that envelop. Kantara: Chapter 1 doesn't simply narrate a story — it pulls you, chancing it or not, into the midst of its hallowed earth, its ancient mythologies, and its tempestuous deities. Rishab Shetty returns not just as the lead but also as the creative force guiding this prequel, and what he provides is more of a spiritual upgrade than a follow-up. The movie goes centuries into the past, into the Kadamba dynasty, where the mythical land of Kantara is guarded not by walls or soldiers, but by faith — and an intimidating protector named Berme.
 
Written in a period when kingdoms came and went according to their piety or rebelliousness of divine powers, the tale is about Lord Eshwara's holy land — a forest region forbidden to mortal men. But men being men, very few listen. Powerful royals, such as Jayaram's exhausted but sage king and Gulshan Devaiah's headstrong heir, start interfering, and what ensues is a mythologically steeped action-adventure ride. When civil unrest simmers in Kantara's land, the Ganas — divine guardians — are awakened, and Berme, electrifyingly portrayed by Rishab Shetty, has to step up and bring balance.
 
Rishab's turn here is nothing less than magnetic. His physicality, presence, and above all his metamorphosis in the Guliga avatar, are breathtaking — visually, yes, but emotionally. He does not act; he taps into something primal and archaic. Rukmini Vasanth, too, is afforded a much more robust role in most mainstream films, and she bites her way into it with unexpected depth. Especially in the second half, her character comes of age, and she holds more than her own in a narrative marked by male energy and mythic proportions. Jayaram lends gravitas, while Gulshan Devaiah makes an effort, though his casting is slightly misplaced — his inability to evoke menace dilutes a part that required more rage.
 
Where Kantara: Chapter 1 really excels is technically and visually. Arvind S. Kashyap's imagery is pure magic. The forest isn't a mere backdrop — it is alive, breathing, and holy. Every frame is lovingly stitched together, almost like a painting, and the natural light adds an ageless quality to the images. B. Ajaneesh Loknath's music and background score amplify every moment to pure perfection. From heart-pounding action to intimate moments of spiritual introspection, the soundtrack is tautly attuned to the rhythm and fury of the film. The action choreography, VFX, and production design all coordinate perfectly to create a world that's both ancient and present.
 
Which is not to say the film doesn't have its shortcomings. The first half, in particular, is plagued with obvious pacing problems. The narrative moves slowly to find a groove, and some of the romantic and comedic subplots are unnecessary — even awkwardly placed. The effort at humor through side characters falls flat and weakens the intense atmosphere the movie attempts to create. Tighter editing here could've condensed the story and gotten the movie on track sooner. A few viewers who are anticipating a completely devotional movie may also be caught off guard — this is a more action-mythological adventure with spiritual undertones rather than the strictly devotional film that the first movie was.
 
Nevertheless, these are surface cracks in a very powerful structure. From the pre-interval setup to the showstopping finish — with the now-legendary chariot action set piece, tiger showdown, and stunning Guliga transformation — the movie is filled with moments of hushed reverence, thunderous applause, and plain astonishment. There's even a smart, emotionally satisfying twist in the second half that raises the tale above the rank of predictable myth-making. And at the heart of it all is that one sentence that lingers: "Thanu vachhindi… daiva samsthapanartham kaadu… dharma samsthapanartham." This is not a film about saving land — it's a film about healing a shattered moral fabric.
 
Kantara: Chapter 1 is a type of Indian film that doesn't exist very often — one that's deeply embedded in indigenous folkloric roots, unapologetically religious, intensely action-oriented, and technologically world-class. It's not here to play it safe, but to own — and in a way, it succeeds. Rishab Shetty's imagination is unapologetic, bold, and refreshingly new. It may not be for everyone — particularly if you go in hoping for another predictable, one-dimensional tale. But for those willing to let go and embrace its world, the payoff is enormous.
 
Short, this is a big-screen movie. See it not only for the story, but for the experience — the visuals, the audio, the essence. Kantara: Chapter 1 isn't flawless, but it's powerful, poetic, and based on something real. And in this day and age of cinematic landscape, that's a gift.