Kantara: Chapter 1 – 2025 Kannada Mythological Action Thriller Film Trailer, Review

4to40.com October 19, 2025 Movie Reviews 2,942 Views

Movie Name: Kantara: Chapter 1
Directed by: Rishab Shetty
Starring: Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Rakesh Poojari
Genre: Adventure, Action, Thriller
Release Date: 02 October, 2025
Language: Kannada
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Rating:
Production Company: Hombale Films
Budget: ₹125 Crore

Exploring the origins of Kaadubettu Shiva during the Kadamba dynasty era, it delves into the untamed wilderness and forgotten lore surrounding his past.

Kantara: Chapter 1 – Overview

Kantara: Chapter 1 is an upcoming Indian Kannada-language mythological action thriller film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. A prequel to the 2022 film Kantara: Chapter 2, the story delves deeper into the origins of the divine tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film.

Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the mythological lore surrounding divine land guardianship. Like its predecessor, it blends regional folklore, spirituality, and action, continuing the saga of man’s relationship with nature and the divine. set during the reign of Kadambas of Banavasi.

Filming began in November 2023. The first look and teaser was released on 27 November 2023. Rishab Shetty plays the role of a Naga Sadhu with superhuman powers. The publicity poster was designed by Kaani Studio. B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed the soundtrack and background score. The film will be released on 2 October 2025.

The film was produced by Vijay Kiragandur through Hombale Films. Shetty learned horse riding, Kalaripayattu and sword fighting for the role.

The film features a grand war sequence choreographed by national and international experts. The sequence includes over 500 skilled fighters and a total cast of nearly 3,000. Shot on a 25-acre set in Karnataka’s mountains, the war sequence took nearly 50 days to film.

The shooting was finished on 7 July 2025.

The film’s soundtrack album and background score were composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, who had composed for the prequel, Kantara.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is scheduled for a theatrical release on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The film will also release the dubbed versions including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and Malayalam.

The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime.

Movie Trailer:

#SuccessTrailer

#It’s a Wrap on Kantara A Legend Chapter-1

#FirstLookTeaser

#Trailer

#DiwaliTrailer

Movie Review:

Rishab Shetty delivers a spectacle-heavy prequel high on entertainment value

Despite flaws, ‘Kantara Chapter 1′ is a worthy prequel that rides on its gigantic scale and fine performances of Rishab Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth

In a small yet significant scene in Kantara Chapter 1, Berme (Rishab Shetty) tells his mother (Mangala in a moving performance) about the importance of business. It’s not just earning what they deserve, but also a sign of achievement for their marginalised group of people. Berme’s decision to revolt for the rights of his people forms the crux of the movie, and director Rishab mounts this idea on a gigantic scale. The prequel looks so huge that its first part, the technically potent Kantara (2022), now appears tiny. This upgrade in size works for and against the latest instalment.

As suggested by the trailer, the mysterious forest Kantara is at the centre of the plot again. The Bangara dynasty eyes the Eshwarana Hoothota (God’s Garden), a sacred region in the forest belonging to the tribals. If greed drew the landlord to attempt to grab the land of the villagers in the first part, it’s a matter of prestige for the royals in the prequel. Having been stopped by divine power, the king’s (Jayaram) ego is hurt, yet he lays low, waiting for the right moment to strike. When the prince, Kulasekhara (a superb Gulshan Devaiah), tries to encroach on Kantara, Berme stands as a barrier.

The tussle between the loose cannon Kulasekhara, and Berme, a goofy yet eccentric and fearless man, is interesting. However, the decision to add humour to intense sequences backfires. The film struggles to breathe early on, with abrupt cuts affecting the film’s flow. The largely disjointed first half is due to Rishab’s urgency to quickly convey as many plot points as possible.

A couple of audacious action sequences (the one involving a chariot is jaw-dropping) are more showboating than value-add to the plot, but we don’t mind, as it helps the film gather some momentum. The uneven first act remains intriguing thanks to the film’s solid world-building. While depicting the indigenous people, Kantara Chapter 1 appears native in the best possible way. The costumes, make-up, and sets form a world that’s quite something to see on the big screen.

After setting up the plot, Rishab achieves his desired religious-themed mega production to near perfection with a go-for-broke filmmaking, aided by his gifted team. Cinematographer Arvind Kashyap offers an experience of watching a compelling war drama with his grand and creative shots. The underlying tension between the tribals and royals hits its zenith in the ‘Brahmakalasha’ song composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, who also delivers a rousing battle theme through the song ‘Rebel’.

Kantara Chapter 1 will be spoken about for its visual achievements. Rishab attempts to deliver ‘that one-scene-you-can’t-stop-talking-about’ in abundance. The superbly choreographed action sequences and the top-class CGI-laden scenes dazzle the viewers with a high dose of adrenaline.

The movie was supposed to trace the origin of daivas (holy spirits) and the spiritual beliefs of the people of Tulunadu. The makers seem to have tried their best to understand the folklore with research. As an actor, Rishab’s aura witnessed in the first part remains intact in the prequel. His portrayal of divine possession and ferocious power of a deity is brilliant. Rukmini Vasanth, in her first role that pushes her abilities since the Sapta Sagaradaache Ello films, stands out with strong dialogue delivery.

The emotional undercurrent of the movie, about the tribal community fighting for inclusivity and going against those trying to dispose them off their land, slightly gets lost amidst the grandeur. Kantara had a stronger soul while the prequel is slightly empty on the inside despite many moving scenes.

At the end of it, these aspects can be forgiven and the drab passages are forgotten thanks to the makers’ sheer commitment to scale. Rishab pushes his creative decisions to deliver an extensive and spectacle-heavy sequel that is high on entertainment value.