Directed and starring Risabh Shetty, Kantara is one of the best action thrillers and mythological dramas I have ever watched. The movie has gained immense popularity and attention due to its folklore-driven narrative, stellar performance, and stunning climax. It was the most-awaited movie for me, which I was willing to watch as the first day first show, which luckily I did. Rishab Shetty is one of my favourite actors whose remarkable acting always pulls me to the theatre, but this time it’s different. Its not only about his acting and direction, but the movie’s story is also magical, which has everything to keep you entertained.
The movie explores the theme of the medieval-era struggle between a tribal community and the greed of an encroaching royal family. The movie shows the reign of the Kadamba Dynasty around 300 CE, when a divine spirit(Guliga) protects the tribal community living in the sacred Kantara forest. The supernatural intervention prevents the king from taking possession of Eshwarana Hoothota, a prosperous spice garden in the forest. But the conflict revives when the kings ambitious Kulashekara(Gulshan Devaiah) tries to take control of the forest. Standing in his way is Berme(Rishab Shetty), a powerful warrior and a nagasadhu from the Kantara tribe, destined to reverse the curse that plagues the land and protect his people. The movie takes an interesting turn when he(Berme) falls in love with Princess Kanakavathi(Rukmini Vasanth), Kulashekharas sister.
I love the acting of Rishab as he is one of my favorite actors whose acting delights me always. And true to it, even in Kantara, as the writer, director, and lead actor, Rishab showcases a remarkable display of his talent, especially in the second half. His dialogue delivery was just unforgettable and never felt over. Apart from Shetty, other supporting cast members have also done a great job to make the movie a surprise hit. I would love to mention the outstanding acting of Rukmini Vasanth as Princess, whose silence speaks volumes, was phenomenal, and for me was the strong pillar for the film. Also, Gulshan Devaiah as the prince and Jayram as the king have done a great job with their roles in the movie and contributed to its success. His(Jayram’s) addition of political intrigue and authority to the narrative was really powerful and praiseworthy.
Along with the outstanding story and performance of the cast, it will be a pity if I dont talk about the beautiful cinematography, visual effects, and editing of the movie. It wont be an exaggeration if I say that the powerful cinematography is also a reason behind the movie’s great success. The use of anamorphic lenses gave the movie wide-screen aesthetics, adding to its grand epic feel, and the film’s sound layers the traditional drum beat and ritual sound to act almost as a second narrator was outstanding. Apart from it, the best suited background music and beautiful editing added charm in each scene, which were perfectly blended and looked no harsh or extra in the overall movie.
To conclude, Kantara has shown the beauty of the tribal community, their lives, and the kingdom of that age. The beautiful, lush landscape of coastal Karnataka, with captivating shots, has enhanced the feel of the raw beauty of nature in the overall movie, which is really amazing. The maker has truly justified his effort in showing the history of the medieval era and the cultural and spiritual aspects of Bhoota Kola Ritual, and its importance to the tribal community, with the perfect scenes and dialogues, which you wont feel exaggerated or wantonly stuffed. Everything in the movie is just entertaining. Overall, the movie is worth watching for Rishabs fans and for those who love Indian mythology and action like me.