Rishab Shetty returns with the ambitious and most-awaited sequel of Kantara (or we can say the prequel, as it tells the story of prior incidents to the 2022 film), Kantara: Chapter 1, bringing raw mythology, stunning action, and a cinematic scale rarely seen in Indian cinema. While it delivers a visual feast and some memorable battle sequences, the film is weighed down by a shaky first half, unnecessary comedy relief, and uneven pacing. Produced by Hombale Films, the period action-adventure mythological drama film stars Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah in lead roles.
Forced Comedy that Feels Inorganic
The film opens with moments of humour that work very occasionally, disrupting the intensity of its mythological backdrop and the powerful milieu of the ‘Kantara World’. The comic relief in the first half neither blends coherently with the narrative nor adds depth to the characters, making the first half drag unnecessarily. The story of the film doesn’t demand so many comedic gags in between every second sequence of the first half.
A Lengthy First Half with Stretched Editing
The biggest complaint about the film is the sluggish pace before the interval. The story takes far too long to gain momentum and start properly. Crisper editing could have made the impact of the narrative felt by the viewers even more. The 2 hours and 48 minutes running length is a bit too long for the story it attempts to convey. So editing is a major issue with this part of its sharply edited predecessor.
Honest Intention at the Core
Despite its flaws, there’s no denying Rishab Shetty’s sincerity in telling a story deeply rooted in the folklore and faith of the tribal Kannada people. His direction reflects a clear respect for the subject matter, giving the film a spiritual and devotional weight that it highly requires.
Superb Cinematography and Action Highs
Once the battles unfold, the film transforms into a visual feast. The cinematography captures both the grandeur of the landscapes and the ferocity of the combat, and also the inner emotional turmoil of the characters, breathtakingly. The action set pieces, choreographed with stunning precision and shot with many one-takes, make Kantara: Chapter 1 worth every bit of its big-screen viewing.
Terrific Performances and Tremendous Score
Rishab Shetty himself anchors the film with a fantastic screen presence and great acting prowess, supported strongly by Rukmini Vasanth and Jayaram. Gulshan Devaiah adds a magnetic and menacing layer both in his performance and to the film itself. Ajaneesh Loknath’s score elevates every moment, from haunting silences to thunderous war sequences, securing guaranteed goosebumps in a theatre experience.
Design & Attention to Detail on a Limited Budget
For a film made on just ₹125 crores, the production design, costumes, and makeup are impeccable and top-notch. Every element – from the divine rituals to the war attire – feels authentic and grand, proving that money was spent wisely and artistically. In every frame, each of the characters looks perfect according to their role, and the art direction is the cherry on the cake that provides audiences with a wholesome feel of the period setting very accurately.
Critics and Fans Agree: A Flawed but Fierce Epic
The reviewers echo a sentiment that Kantara: Chapter 1 is flawed in its pacing and misplaced comedy, but its powerful second half, technical brilliance, and larger-than-life ambition more than redeem the experience. The fans, on the other hand, are completely satisfied with the film, saying that it’s a near-perfect experience for them.
Final Verdict
Kantara: Chapter 1 shines in its epic battle sequences and visual spectacles, but it is also a let-down for the comic relief in the first half, which doesn’t help the story move forward at all. At the end, it’s good to say that despite its long, comedic and exhausting first half, which somehow feels very inapt in comparison to the overall serious and intense tone of the movie, Kantara: Chapter 1 deserves your viewing on the big screen due to its visual brilliance, technical achievements as an Indian film, and very earnest performances.
You can watch Kantara: Chapter 1 at your nearest theatre.
Buzztag Rating: 3/5
