Kanthara 2 Movie Review: In the ever changing fabric of Indian cinema, few films have captured the raw essence of folklore and spirituality like Rishab Shetty’s Kantara. The 2022 original was a cultural phenomenon, blending tribal traditions with brutal action and divine fervour. Now, three years later, Shetty is back with Kantara Chapter 1, a brave prequel that digs into the mythological roots of that world. Released to much hype, this period action drama takes you to the lush, wild forests of southern India where history, myth and human ambition collide. As writer, director and star, Shetty has made an ambitious film that doesn’t just revisit the past, it redefines the franchise.
It’s set in a past time, about divine protectors and the communities they protect. At its heart is a community’s unbreakable bond with the land and its spiritual guardians, threatened by the encroaching forces of spice traders, Portuguese merchants and even the introduction of horses as symbols of change. The first half builds this world, immerses you in the rhythms of tribal life, ancient rituals and the subtle undercurrents of external influences. As the story goes into the second half, the stakes get higher, and it delves deeper into interpersonal conflicts and celestial interventions. The climactic scenes in the heart of the forest are intense; they echo the original’s finale but carve out new emotional ground. Without giving away the divine twists, it’s a journey that honours the past while igniting new wonder.
Rishab Shetty is the heart of the film. In the lead role, he gives a performance that’s raw, intense and three times more amplified than his first Kantara. His physicality – leaping through canopies, embodying primal fury – matches the unbridled spirit of the story while his emotional depth in quieter moments grounds the mythology in human vulnerability. It’s a tour de force that makes Shetty the indispensable soul of this franchise. Rukmini Vasanth is brilliant in what could be her best role till date, bringing in grace, resilience and quiet strength to a character that bridges the earthly and ethereal. Her chemistry with Shetty adds tenderness to the chaos. Gulshan Devaiah is electrifying in a brief but intense cameo, especially in a forest scene that lingers long after. The local talents in the supporting cast bring in authenticity to the tribal dynamics, so every face looks like it has a history etched on it.
Technically, Kantara Chapter 1 is a sensory overload. Shetty’s direction is big and intimate; he takes you on a historical sweep and then whispers folklore in your ear. He expands the universe with thoughtfulness, making the prequel feel like an origin story that’s both standalone and essential. Ajaneesh Loknath’s score is straight up hauntingly powerful—a symphony of folk instruments and choral swells that owns every emotional peak and mythological surge. It’s the kind of music that doesn’t just accompany, it possesses, like the divine forces on screen. The cinematography is lush and immersive; the forests are living, breathing characters. Sun-dappled canopies, mist-shrouded rituals and the play of light through ancient groves are captured with poetic precision; every frame is a postcard from a forgotten era. VFX is seamless, breathes life into mythical elements without ever feeling contrived. Action sequences, from hand-to-hand combat to the tiger encounter are choreographed with precision, practical stunts blended with a sense of grounded danger.
But no epic is without its flaws. The film falters in pace with some unnecessary scenes that pad the runtime without advancing the plot. Subplots are rich in cultural detail but don’t always have the same mythic weight and sometimes slow down the momentum. For Tamil audiences, the dubbing is a weak link, flattening the poetic dialogue and making the comedies jarring with the tone. Comedy is sparse and feels like an awkward transplant in some places, better suited for a lighter film than this spiritual journey. Watch the original Kannada with subtitles for the full effect – it’s a small ask for a film this good.
All in all, Kantara Chapter 1 is a visual treat, a culturally deep dive into the spiritual core of its predecessor. It matches the original’s emotional intensity and goes beyond in visuals and storytelling, proving Shetty’s vision is as vast as the forests he brings back to life. If you want a cinema that moves you and makes you debate on heritage, this is a must watch – a mythological masterpiece that delivers on all fronts. In a world of sequels that recycle, this one innovates, honours the past to reveal the divine within us. Rating: 3.5/5 – A prequel that roars.