A visually stunning exploration of myth and power

WITH Kantara (2022), Rishab Shetty delivered one of Indian cinema's most unforgettable climaxes, where divinity seemed to descend on the screen to give us a memorable experience.

- A SHARADHAA

Three years later, he returns with Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel that digs into the roots of the saga. The film represents truths about rituals, fears, gods, and the people who carry them. Set 1,500 years ago, this prequel feels more like folklore shared among people sitting around a fire. Once upon a time, there was a king named Rajashekara (Jayaram), who was haunted by the land of Kantara and the wrath of the Brahma Rakshasa. His son Kulashekara (Gulshan Devaiah) inherits his father's throne, but he doesn't possess his father's wisdom. Reckless and indulgent, he gets into trouble. Rajashekara's daughter Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth) grows into a quiet strength, becoming one of the story's unexpected anchors. On the other side is Berme (Rishab Shetty), adopted by the tribal people of Eshwara Hoodhota in Kantara's forest. He becomes the lens through which dynasties clash, jungles breathe, and curses unfold. His journey is not about destiny; it is shaped by experience, choices, and the burden of a land marked by belief.