Kantara Chapter 1 Review: Rishab Shetty’s Flawed & Overlong Prequel Wins It Again With a Chilling Climax

RATING - ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 3/5*

Kantara Chapter 1 Review Movie Talkies:

After the phenomenal success of Kantara in 2022, Rishab Shetty returns with Kantara Chapter 1, a much-anticipated prequel that dives into the roots of the mystical tale. As someone who was blown away by the original film’s climax, I went in with very high expectations. And to be very honest, the experience turned out to be a mixed bag. The film retains the same strengths that made Kantara unforgettable, but it also suffers from the same weaknesses—maybe even more.

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The essence of the first film was its spiritual depth, unpredictable narrative turns, and that spine-chilling climax which left audiences gasping in shock. This time, however, the element of surprise is missing. We already know the world of Kantara, Panjurli Daiva, and the divine possessions, so the novelty factor wears off quickly. In 2022, nobody expected that earth-shattering finale; it came as a divine thunderbolt. In Kantara Chapter 1, you are somewhat prepared for it. That doesn’t mean the climax loses its charm—it’s still magnificent—there is a twist too. Still, I have to admit, Rishab Shetty has managed to pull it off once again. I wouldn’t complain if he bags another National Award for his performance here, though I must also confess that the award itself has lost some of its credibility in recent years.

Kantara Chapter 1 Story:

The film begins right where Kantara (2022) left us—with the haunting final scene. A young boy, confused about his father’s disappearance, demands answers, and an elder begins narrating the tale of the past. We are then transported centuries back into the origins of the land and its people. Here we meet Berme (Rishab Shetty), a man rooted in Kantara’s sacred forest, blessed and protected by its gods. On the other side, we have King Vijayendra (Jayaram), who enjoys wealth and power in the kingdom beyond the forest. Berme ventures into Vijayendra’s territory to trade goods harvested by his community. Kanakvathi (Rukmini Vasanth), the king’s daughter, helps Berme establish himself at the port. Naturally, this partnership sparks jealousy in her brother Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah), who attacks Berme’s people and disrupts their peace. What follows is a tale of betrayal, greed, war, and divine intervention. But as much as this looks like a straightforward clash between good and evil, it’s only the beginning—there are more secrets and surprises hidden in the chapters that unfold.

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Now, let’s talk about the film’s biggest flaw. Kantara Chapter 1 had all the potential to become a God-level masterpiece, but somewhere along the way, it loses focus. What people loved most about Kantara was its divine power, cultural depth, and that intense, mystical energy leading to the climax. Instead of doubling down on this, the prequel diverts into being a war-action flick mixed with trade rivalries and palace politics. This tonal shift feels unnecessary and weakens the very essence of what made Kantara iconic. The comedy is painfully flat, with cheap jokes that make you cringe. The romantic portions don’t help either—they only slow down the momentum.

Still, when things get divine, the film redeems itself. And here comes the biggest spoiler: Rishab Shetty recreates the climax magic not once but twice in Kantara Chapter 1! Those possession scenes, with Shetty completely surrendering to the divine, are worth the price of ticket alone. The first 15 minutes are gripping and the interval block is cleverly done, but then you have to slog through nearly an hour of dull, uninspired drama before the second half picks up. The last act, however, is explosive—it’s the reason you walk out of the theatre feeling satisfied. Just like the original, this sequel drags in parts, but the chilling climax elevates it to another level.

Kantara Chapter 1 Cast:

Coming to performances—Rishab Shetty is inconsistent for the most part. There are stretches where he looks like he has gone completely off track. But when the possession scenes arrive, he transforms into something else entirely, and it’s pure cinema. His physicality this time is more heroic, with bolder body language and a larger-than-life aura. Yet he still manages to maintain an earthy authenticity that keeps him grounded. Rukmini Vasanth, on the other hand, is serviceable but nothing extraordinary. Still, her character’s arc is interesting, especially when she shifts into a darker shade. Female villains are rare in mainstream action epics, and even though her turn was predictable by the interval, it was refreshing to see. Gulshan Devaiah is wasted in a poorly written role, and Jayaram too looks awkward until the climax gives him a makeover. Supporting actors like Pramod Shetty, Rakesh Poojari, Prakash Thuminad, Deepak Rai Panaje, Hariprashanth M G, Shaneel Gautham, and Naveen Bondel are merely passable.

On the technical side, cinematography and sound design are top-notch. The forest looks lush and alive, almost breathing with divine energy. But editing is a serious letdown—it drags the runtime unnecessarily and tests your patience. The film is easily 20–25 minutes too long. Music is shockingly underwhelming here. The much-hyped Diljit song has vibes, but it is placed at the worst possible time, killing the momentum. To make matters worse, random jokes appear during intense war sequences, followed immediately by a heavy thematic track—it feels tonally jarring and completely out of sync. The VFX work is impressive for this budget. However, that Brahmarakshas effects were poor.

As a director, Rishab Shetty both wins and falters. He knows how to stage the mystical world of Kantara with conviction, and the opening stretch proves that. But then he succumbs to the pressure of catering to the masses with crowd-pleasing elements—half-baked comedy, forced romance, and unnecessary action drama. Had he resisted that temptation and stuck to exploring Kantara’s mythology, Lord Shiva’s references, and the daiva traditions in more detail, Chapter 1 could have been legendary. One particular disappointment for me was the trimming of the fire-face scene, teased so brilliantly in the trailer. Seeing it from the right angle on the big screen would have been unforgettable, but sadly it was cut down completely.

Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Review:

Despite these flaws, I have to admit: Kantara Chapter 1 is still an honest film. It remains true to its core audience—those who love cinema rooted in tradition, spirituality, and divine mysticism. Yes, the middle portions are boring, the jokes are awkward, and the film is unnecessarily long, but the finale is so powerful that you forgive almost everything else. This is a film you may not rewatch in its entirety, but the climax? You could watch it on repeat ten times and still feel that same rush. As a whole, Kantara Chapter 1 doesn’t reach the divine heights it could have, but it still delivers a larger-than-life experience. It may be flawed, messy, and at times frustrating, but it leaves you with goosebumps when it matters most. And for that reason alone, Rishab Shetty has done it again! Go for it.

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