Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1, the prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, has arrived in theaters, and early reviews highlight the film's visual spectacle and compelling climax. Set centuries before the events of the first film, Kantara: Chapter 1 delves into the origins of the mythological traditions and ancestral conflicts introduced in Kantara.
Shetty returns as writer, director, and lead actor, playing the role of Berme, a strong warrior whose destiny is intertwined with faith, folklore, and the supernatural. The story unfolds in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, exploring the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the lore explored in the first film. The cast also includes Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi, Jayaram as King Rajashekara, and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara.
Many viewers are praising the film's stunning visuals, strong performances, and goosebump-inducing climax. Some reviews are calling Shetty a "master storyteller," applauding how the film blends folklore, faith, and human emotions. Producer Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar lauded the film as "a masterfully crafted cinematic experience that seamlessly weaves folklore, faith, and human emotion into a compelling narrative," while also praising Shetty's commanding performance, breathtaking cinematography, and evocative musical score.
Kantara: Chapter 1 serves as a critique of consumerism, exploring themes of greed and the need to preserve ecological balance, ideas that were central to the first Kantara. Rishab Shetty handles these aspects with skill, bringing a rare sense of nuance. The film explores the differences that arise between a tribe and the Bangra kingdom.
Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap offers an experience of watching a compelling war drama with his grand and creative shots. Ajaneesh Loknath's music is a highlight, with the 'Brahmakalasha' song and the battle theme 'Rebel' adding to the film's intensity. The production quality, VFX, cinematography, and music have been widely lauded.
Despite the praise, some reviews point out flaws. The first half of the film has been described as disjointed, with abrupt cuts affecting the film's flow. Some critics noted that the film struggles to breathe early on, with an urgency to convey as many plot points as possible. Humour added to intense sequences occasionally backfires. Some viewers felt that the emotional undercurrent of the movie, about the tribal community fighting for inclusivity, gets slightly lost amidst the grandeur, and that Kantara had a stronger soul.
Overall, Kantara: Chapter 1 is being lauded for its technical brilliance, particularly the visual effects. The film is a visual and emotional spectacle, blending breathtaking cinematography with gripping storytelling.
