Film: Kantara Chapter 1
Director: Rishab Shetty
Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, and others
Producers: Vijay Kiragandur, Chaluve Gowda
Music Director: B. Ajaneesh Loknath
Cinematographer: Arvind S. Kashyap
Editor: Suresh Mallaiah
Release Date : Oct 2, 2025
Rating
3/5
Kantara: Chapter 1 is one of the most prestigious projects in recent times. Starring and directed by Rishab Shetty, the film was released today amidst a lot of expectations. Rukmini Vasanth played the female lead role in the movie. Check out the film’s review here.
Story:
The film is the prequel to the earlier film Kantara. Shiva (Child Rishibh Shetty) is on a quest to find out about his father, who disappeared in the forest after the Panjurli Jatara. Meanwhile, there is a king named Rajasekhar in the Kantara region. During that time, Barma (Rishab) enters the kingdom to do business and meets Princess Kanakavati (Rukmini Vasanth). Is there any connection to Shiva’s father and Burma? Why did Barma come to that region for business? What happens in the end? Forms the story of the movie.
Performances:
Rishab Shetty is a talent that can never be replaced. Just like how he set the stage on fire, he delivered another grand performance in the second part as well. In every sequence, Rishab has played his part exceptionally well. The action sequences are the best. It is his one-man show, supported by all the others. Senior artist Jayaram also impressed us with his role as Raju. Gulshan Devaiah played the negative role, and his casting comes as a refreshing change. Rukmini Vasanth looks awesome on the screen in the role of Kanakavathi and brings her best to the screen. Rakesh Pujari is also good in his role. The rest of the cast made their presence felt.
Technical Aspects:
Aravind S Kashyap is the film’s cinematographer, who has done an amazing job. The visuals are top-notch. A film like this demands such strong technical values. The action sequences are composed well in the movie, and Suresh Mallaiah’s editing is good, too. Ajaneesh Loknath is a good composer who already proved his mettle during the first part, and he exceeded expectations with the second part. Producer Vijay Kiragandur has produced this film without compromising and maintaining strong values.
Review:
Not just as an actor, but Rishab Shetty set the screen on fire as a director as well. The visuals are grand with strong action sequences in the first place. The film has all the necessary elements in the right proportion. Right from the emotions to the comedy, everything is brewed to perfection in this epic tale. On the flip side, the second half of the movie is slightly dull when compared to the wholesome, engaging first half of the movie. Some portions of the movie could also have been better in the movie, towards the second half. When the divine meets a folk tale, it is a great story that we witnessed in Kantara. Now, the story has just got amazing with rich technical values and an emotional story. Rishab Shetty has put his entire life into the film. On the whole, the film wins big this festival season.
Plus Points:
Performances
Rishab Shetty
Story
Direction
Visuals
BGM
Minus Points:
Few sequences in the Second half
Average Dubbing
Final Verdict: Visually & Emotionally Entertaining Tale of Divinity
