‘Kantara’ is an impressive and culturally rich Kannada film that powerfully narrates the story of the conflict between mystery, tradition and nature. Written and directed by director and lead actor Rishab Shetty, the film takes place against the backdrop of a mysterious forest ‘Kantara’, where the conflict between folk-belief, religion and human nature comes to the fore. The film stars Rishab Shetty in a double role – as Shiva, a hardworking Kambala player and his father, a Bhoot Kola artist.
The film is not only full of action and thrill but also has the spirit of the folk art ‘Bhoot Kola’, reflecting the cultural heritage of South India. The story of the film begins with a mythical stone, a promised king and a land dispute that drags on for generations. ‘Kantara’ is not just a film but an experience that takes the audience to the depths of nature, faith and justice. Its cinematography, music and acting make it a unique and memorable masterpiece.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Kantara |
| Language | Kannada |
| Genre | Action Thriller / Mythological Drama |
| Director | Rishab Shetty |
| Writer | Rishab Shetty |
| Producers | Vijay Kiragandur, Chaluve Gowda |
| Production Company | Hombale Films |
| Main Cast | Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, Kishore, Achyuth Kumar |
| Music Composer | B. Ajaneesh Loknath |
| Cinematographer | Aravind S. Kashyap |
| Editors | K. M. Prakash, Shobith Shetty |
| Action Director | Vikram More |
| Release Date | 30 September 2022 |
| Runtime | 148 minutes |
| Budget | ₹16 crore |
| Box Office Collection | ₹400–450 crore |
| Setting | Keradi village, coastal Karnataka |
| Awards | 70th National Film Awards: Best Actor (Rishab Shetty), Best Popular Film |
| Sequel / Prequel | Kantara: Chapter 1 (Prequel announced) |
Kantara Story
Kantara is the story of a coastal village in Karnataka, where a deep-rooted conflict takes place between ancient traditions, folk deities and the spirits of the forests. The story begins in 1847, when a king arrives at a sacred forest in search of spiritual peace and asks the village deity Panjurli for permission to return with a sacred stone. In return, he donates his land to the villagers. Panjurli warns that if the king’s descendants attempt to reclaim the land, they will incur the wrath of the protector deity Guliga.
In 1970, a descendant of the king attempts to reclaim the land but dies under mysterious circumstances. In 1990, the protagonist of the story, Shiva, a Kambala player, confronts forest officer Murali to protect the land of his village. Shiva’s father was also a Bhoot Kola artist once, who mysteriously disappeared. Amid land disputes, political conspiracies and betrayal, Shiva has to grapple with his past and destiny.
The story takes a thrilling turn as Shiva, under the influence of Guliga, protects his village and finally merges with the forest after meeting his father’s spirit.
Kaantara is not just a folktale but a wonderful cinematic presentation of tradition, faith and connection with nature.
Movie Review
“Kantara” is a cinematic masterpiece that not only takes us on a journey of emotions, culture and human quest, but also showcases the true power of Indian cinema, especially the Kannada film industry, on a global platform. Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, the film is a wonderful amalgamation of a profound folk tale, traditional devotion, and modern struggle.
I myself am a viewer who is not deterred by language barriers – I love to live every great story, from regional to international cinema. For years, I have been wishing that Kannada cinema also gets the recognition it truly deserves. The “KGF” series really brought everyone’s attention to Kannada films, but for me, “Kantara” was the film that truly showcased the roots and potential of our cinema to the world.
The story of the film revolves around a mysterious forest and the folk deities that live it. It is not only a tale of a land dispute, but also minutely portrays the conflict between faith, tradition and human nature. Shiva, a Kambala player, clashes with forest officials to protect the land and tradition of his village. The presence of deities in the film and the depiction of rituals like ‘Bhoot Kola’ make it a breath-taking experience for the audience.
The cinematography of the film is visually mesmerizing – every frame seems like a living painting. The music composed by B. Ajnanish Loknath is deeply embedded in the soul of the film and enhances the visual experience manifold.
Rishabh Shetty’s performance is particularly noteworthy. The soulfulness with which he has played the dual role of Shiva and his father emotionally shakes the audience. Also, the chemistry and dialogues between the characters in the film are so impressive that you connect with them.
Since 2014 when Rakshit Shetty, Rishabh Shetty and Raj B. Ever since actors like Shetty started redefining Kannada cinema with their powerful contributions, we have been witnessing a new wave of quality. Films like 777 Charlie, Garbhadweep (GGV) and now Kantara have proved to be milestones in this direction.
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Kaantara is a film that presents Indian folk culture, faith and human struggle with nature in a wonderful way. Its story, music, acting and visualization all create a powerful experience that shakes the audience to the core. It is not just an entertainer but a voice of the soul connected to culture and identity. This presentation by Rishab Shetty will be known as a cult classic in the years to come. If you want to feel depth and tradition through cinema, then Kantara is a must watch – it is an experience.
