'Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1' picks up where the first film left off but stands out for its unique vision.
A poster of the film 'Kantara A Legend Chapter 1'. (Supplied)
Rishab Shetty’s directorial Kantara emerged as a surprise hit in 2022, garnering attention from across India.
Now, the second part of the franchise, Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1, touted as a prequel has hit the screens. The movie has achieved what its predecessor couldn’t — a grand visual spectacle with all the elements needed for a commercial devotional film.
Hombale Films, the production company had reportedly spent ₹125 crores for the movie which is a record for any Kannada film.
Let’s check how the movie has fared and is it worth its budget.
Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1 picks up where the first film left off but stands out for its unique vision. It explores the clash between good and evil forces and highlights the sacred jungle of Kantara, known as God’s garden.
While the first part focused on the tribe and events across eras, the prequel builds a deeper world, giving prominence to the Kadamba dynasty, whose kings long desired to enter the Kantara region but couldn’t for a long time.
Rukmini Vasanth. (Supplied)
The audience is introduced to two tribes, their deities, customs, rituals, and the main characters. These tribes live in Kantara but are barred from entering the Kadamba kingdom, ruled by Vijayendra (Jayaram), along with his children Kanakvati (Rukmini Vasanth) and Kulshekhara (Gulshan Devaiah).
The story begins with Kulshekhara’s coronation. However, it soon becomes clear he is unfit to rule. He then enters the forbidden forest of Kantara for a hunt—an area believed to be home to dark forces like the Brahma Raksas.
His entry disrupts the forest’s peace. During the hunt, some soldiers are captured by the forest tribe led by Berme (Rishab Shetty). What follows involves intense events both in the forest and the palace—but revealing more would lead to spoilers.
The first half of the film introduces two forest tribes—one led by Berme, representing good, and another hidden deep in the jungle, symbolizing evil. Both play key roles and share a connection with the king and his family.
Divine power is a major highlight in Rishab Shetty’s script. Gods, deities, Gulikan, and Chamundi hold strong presence, much like in the climax of the first film.
The second half intensifies as Berme transforms into Gulikan—something hinted at in the first part through Siva’s character. The film continues to explore themes of oppression, with Kulasekhara and his army attacking the peaceful tribes.
Kantara A Legend: Chapter 1 stands out for its exceptional technical quality. The production design by Banglan is top-notch, bringing Rishab Shetty’s vision to life with grand sets and rich detailing visible in every scene. The film is made on a large scale, and it shows.
Arvind Kashyap’s cinematography adds depth, especially in the fight scenes, forest visuals, the 30-minute climax, Gulikan’s performance, and the market fight. These moments offer a powerful theatrical experience. CGI also plays a key role, with sequences like the tiger and other creatures adding a fantasy touch.
B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music and background score elevate many scenes. However, the loud sound design may feel overwhelming for some viewers in the theatre.
The film continues to glorify beliefs and traditions, much like the first part, which highlighted Bhuta Kola in coastal Karnataka. This time, it’s shown on a grander scale. Strong believers may feel a deeper connection, especially during the divine climax scenes. However, the comedy sequences don’t land well.
The emotional aspects—like the tribes losing their homes—fail to create strong impact, as the script focuses more on divine intervention through the protagonist.
Though the film largely belongs to Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakvati is more than just Berme’s love interest. Her character has a twist that adds depth to the story. This gives the script a strong female presence, and Rukmini delivers an impressive performance.
Rishab Shetty shines as Berme, especially when he gains divine power. His body language during these intense moments, particularly in the climax, is striking. Outside of that, his role is more straightforward, but he excels in the action scenes.
Jayaram delivers one of his best performances as King Vijayendra—arguably his finest since Ponniyin Selvan.
Gulshan Devaiah plays a different kind of role as Kulasekhara. Known for serious characters, he adds a touch of comedy here, showing his versatility.
Kantara A Legend Chapter 1 is a visual grandeur as Rishab Shetty delivers a devotional-commercial mass movie meant for theatrical watch.
(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)
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