Director & Writer: Rishab Shetty
Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, Rakesh Poojary, Gulshan Devaiah
Music: B. Ajaneesh Loknath
Cinematography: Arvind Kashyap
Editing: Suresh Mallya
Production: Hombale Films
Producer: Vijay Kiragandur
Release Date: October 2, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Introduction
After the historic success of Kantara (2022), directed by Rishab Shetty, expectations skyrocketed for its prequel. Titled Kantara: Chapter 1, this devotional action drama comes from Hombale Films with a massive ₹125 crore budget. Released as a pan-India film in five languages, it explores the origins of Kantara with a mix of spirituality, action, and fantasy.
But does this Rishab Shetty prequel live up to the original’s magic? Let’s find out.
Kantara: Chapter 1 Story
The film begins with the divine statement: “Whenever mankind drifts away from Dharma, the Lord sends his guardians to restore balance.”
• Set in the 8th century Kadamba dynasty, the story unfolds in the mystical land of Kantara, guarded by tribals.
• A mysterious child, Berme (Rishab Shetty), is found near a divine well and raised by the community.
• As he grows, Berme rebels against the oppressive rule of King Bangra Raju Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah).
• Along the way, he rescues Princess Kanakavati (Rukmini Vasanth), who falls in love with him.
• The king retaliates by destroying Kantara, leading to a spiritual war that reveals Berme’s true destiny.
The film answers how Berme becomes a divine warrior and why the tribes are forced into a battle for survival.
Review – How is Kantara: Chapter 1?
• The first half suffers from slow narration, excessive world-building, and unnecessary comedy.
• The second half redeems the film with high-octane action, divine sequences, and a breathtaking climax.
• Unlike Kantara (2022), which was rooted in Karnataka’s Bhoota Kola traditions, this prequel leans heavily into fantasy and mythological adventure.
👉 Verdict: The raw authenticity of the first film is missing, but Kantara: Chapter 1 offers visual grandeur and devotional storytelling.
Performances
• Rishab Shetty delivers an outstanding performance, especially in transformation scenes where he embodies spiritual avatars with intensity.
• Rukmini Vasanth makes a strong impact in the second half with emotional depth.
• Jayaram and Gulshan Devaiah add strength to their roles, though the comedy subplots feel forced.
Technical Aspects
• Cinematography: Arvind Kashyap’s visuals are stunning, particularly in the forest and chariot chase sequences.
• Music: Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score and songs heighten the devotional and emotional impact.
• VFX: Seamless CGI that brings the 8th-century world to life.
• Editing: A tighter first half could have improved pacing.
Highlights
✅ Rishab Shetty’s performance
✅ Interval block & Climax
✅ Visual brilliance & action sequences
✅ Music & background score
Drawbacks
❌ Slow-paced first half
❌ Weak comedy track
❌ Less rooted than original Kantara
Final Verdict
Kantara: Chapter 1 is a visual devotional action drama with spectacular second-half sequences, breathtaking cinematography, and Rishab Shetty’s powerful performance. While it doesn’t fully capture the authenticity of Kantara (2022), it stands out as a grand cinematic experience.
👉 TeluguRajyam Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
👉 A perfect Dasara festive watch for fans of mythological action dramas.
