Story
The story is set in pre-colonial times, where a kingdom and the mystical land of Kantara exists. Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah) ascends the throne and turns his ambitions toward Kantara, a land his grandfather once sought to conquer but perished in the attempt. Berme (Rishab Shetty), the tribal leader of Kantara, learns the art of trade at the kingdom’s harbor with the guidance of Princess Kanakavathi (Rukmini Vasanth). What follows is a clash between the king’s greed and the tribal community’s struggle for survival, unfolding under the shadow of divine intervention.

Artists Performance

Rishab Shetty shines as Berme, portraying him as both a warrior and a folklore hero. His performance in the pre-climax “Guliga” sequence is spine-chilling, with his transformation under divine possession (much like in Kantara) showcasing an entirely different dimension of his acting. Rukmini Vasanth impresses as the princess, bringing both grace and a sharp, tactical mindset to her role. Jayaram delivers a strong performance as the noble king, while Gulshan Devaiah perfectly embodies the reckless and immoral ruler driven by evil intentions. The rest of the cast, too, are aptly chosen and do justice to their parts.

Story - screenplay - direction: The original Kantara explored divine intervention when a landlord attempts to exploit an innocent farmer. Much like Kantara, this film also centers around divine intervention, this time triggered when a king attempts to seize sacred forest land. The film includes a powerful backstory of a king who meets a mysterious death when he encroaches upon the forest, along with the tale of Berme, found abandoned in a well, and a mystical tiger that protects him.

Concepts like ఈశ్వరుడి పూదోట, మార్మిక బావి, ఈశ్వర గణాలు are intriguing.

Rishab Shetty once again crafts a spiritually charged, culturally rooted conflict, but this time with a braver, sharper protagonist - a warrior instead of a naive villager. He cleverly introduces spices as a geopolitical factor, reminiscent of how the Portuguese were drawn to India for its black pepper in the 1500s. It’s refreshing to see that the princess is given authority, a progressive note for the era depicted.

The film largely centers on the psychological warfare and tactical battles between the king and the tribal leader, with the divine aspect making a striking entry late in the second half. The Guliga sequence, featuring an electrifying performance from Rishab Shetty, is a goosebumps-inducing highlight. The climax twist is unexpected, yet subtly hinted at from earlier scenes.

While Chapter 1 is more ambitious and visually grander than its predecessor, some segments - especially within the royal court and tribal scenes - feel slightly slow. However, the spiritual and mythological payoffs more than compensate, leaving the audience with a sense of wonder and satisfaction.

Other departments: B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music stands out as a major strength of the film. His background score is captivating, enriched with a divine essence that adds immense depth to scenes involving possession and mystery. Arvind S. Kashyap’s cinematography is brilliant, capturing the stark contrast between the dense forests and the grand royal palace with impressive creativity. Editing by Suresh Mallaiah is effective overall, though some extended segments could have been trimmed for better pacing. The action sequences are well-executed, while the VFX - especially in bringing the animals to life - is top-notch. Backing it all are ultra-grand production values by Hombale Films, elevating the film's visual impact.

Analysis: Rishab Shetty, who rose to national prominence with Kantara, stays true to the essence of what made the original a phenomenon. He retains the core narrative structure - the oppressor versus oppressed dynamic and divine possession - and builds on it with a grander scale and expansive world-building. While the pacing slows in parts and some scenes feel sluggish, the film more than compensates with goosebumps-inducing moments in the climax, a signature of Shetty’s storytelling. With the power of a well-executed sequel, Kantara Chapter 1 follows the thematic and narrative footprint of its predecessor, saving its most powerful punches for the final act. Definitely worth a watch!