Movie Name: Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1
Rating: 3.25/5
Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, and others
Director: Rishab Shetty
Produced By: Hombale Films
Release Date: 2nd October 2025
With much anticipation from audiences across languages, Kantara: Chapter 1 has finally hit theatres worldwide, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. The film’s premieres last night garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews. Let’s dive in to see how much impact this mystical action drama truly delivers in our review.
Story:
Kantara: Chapter 1 tells the story of Berme (Rishab Shetty), a tribal man who dreams of improving his village by learning from the outside world. The film shows his struggles with age-old traditions and the threats from evil forces, which he fights against with the support of a divine power.
Performances:
Rishab Shetty delivers a strong and convincing performance, especially in the transformation scenes. Rukmini Vasanth’s role feels uneven at first, but she shines later and adds real value to the story. Gulshan Devaiah is the weakest link, as his role and performance leave little impact. Jayaram and the rest of the cast fit their parts well.
Analysis:
Rishab Shetty not only plays the lead but also writes and directs this prequel to the 2022 film. The movie begins with stunning visuals that explore the folklore and mystery of Panjurli and Kantara.
The narrative mixes entertainment and romance. While the fun element is limited and the romance feels decent, the pace picks up strongly around the interval with some breathtaking VFX.
The second half starts off interestingly, linking the tiger with divine powers. However, the parts involving Gulshan Devaiah turn predictable. The Guliga sequence, on the other hand, is outstanding and leaves a lasting impact.
The scenes showing the bond between the King and the villagers are clear and engaging. The war sequence before the climax feels stretched, but the final moments end with great power, much like the first film
Positives:
- Interesting Plot
- Rishab Shetty’s Performance
- CG Work
- Scenes Involving Divine Powers And Folklore
Negatives:
- Unnecessary Comedy Scenes In The First Half
- A Few Dull/Dragged Parts
Kantra Chapter 1 Movie Review and Verdict:
Overall, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a step up from the 2022 version. Despite a few weak spots, the excellent CGI, thrilling action scenes, and strong use of divine themes make it a film worth watching.
