Halfway through Kantara: Chapter 1, it becomes evident that, much like its predecessor, the film is carefully structured as a slow-burn setup leading to a breathtaking climax. The journey, however, is not always smooth. The film tests the audience’s patience with uneven pacing, stretches of monotony, and a somewhat exhausting narrative. But when the payoff arrives, it is nothing short of spectacular — a visually rich, theatrical finale that lingers long after the credits roll.
While the original Kantara managed to hold its threads tightly together, Chapter 1 often feels like it is urging viewers to endure the bumps for the reward at the end. This does take some shine away. Still, Rishab Shetty crafts an experience that is more than just a story — it is a spectacle meant to be witnessed on the big screen.
What is it about?
The film traces the origins of the daivas and guliga from Kantara. Rishab Shetty plays Berme, a warrior from Kantara, a village locked in conflict with the neighboring Kadamba kingdom. While King Vijayendra (Jayaram) enforces a fragile truce, his reckless son Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah) seeks to annex Kantara and exploit its forest wealth. Amid the chaos, Princess Kanakvathi (Rukmini Vasanth) attempts to mediate, but violence escalates, culminating in a fateful clash between Berme and Kulasekhara.
Despite its flaws, Kantara: Chapter 1 cements itself as a bold prelude, a blend of myth, history, and grandeur — one that may frustrate at points but ultimately rewards those who stay the course.