Kantara Chapter 1 Review : A Mythical Rampage That Roars Louder Than Legends

Kantara Chapter 1: If the original Kantara (2022) was a thunderclap of raw folklore and divine fury, then Kantara Chapter 1—the prequel that’s got theaters trembling—is the full-blown storm. Released yesterday on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and the eve of Dussehra, Rishab Shetty’s latest opus transports us back to 300 CE in the lush, treacherous forests of the Kadamba dynasty’s Bangra Kingdom. It’s not just a film; it’s a ritual. A clash of kings, spirits, and unyielding devotion that leaves you breathless, questioning the line between myth and reality.

As someone who’s been tracking this franchise since its humble Kannada roots exploded into pan-India mania, I finally caught an early screening last night. Spoiler-free verdict? It’s a visual and emotional beast—bigger, bolder, and more immersive than the first. But does it live up to the impossible hype? Let’s dive in.

The Folklore Unfolds : A Spoiler-Free Plot Tease

Set centuries before Shiva’s possession in the original Kantara, Chapter 1 peels back the layers of the Kaadubettu Shiva legend. We follow a young king (Rishab Shetty, in dual roles that demand god-like charisma) navigating betrayal, forbidden love, and a brewing war between human ambition and forest deities. Think epic battles infused with Tulu Nadu rituals: Bhoota Kola dances that pulse with primal energy, VFX-laden spirit encounters that feel straight out of a fever dream, and a narrative that weaves betrayal with redemption.

The first half builds like a slow-burning yagna—introducing the kingdom’s prosperity, the encroaching shadows of greed, and those signature folk songs by Ajaneesh Loknath that make your skin tingle. The interval block? A jaw-dropper that had the audience erupting. The second half unleashes the chaos: high-stakes action, divine interventions, and a climax that’s equal parts predictable and pulse-pounding. It’s Baahubali meets RRR with a spiritual core that grounds the spectacle in cultural authenticity.

At its heart, this is a story about harmony with nature, the cost of power, and the eternal dance between man and god. If the original was about inheritance, Chapter 1 is the origin myth we craved—raw, reverent, and relentlessly engaging.

Kantara Chapter 1 : Cast, Crew, and Cinematic Magic

Rishab Shetty doesn’t just direct and write; he is the film. As the conflicted king and the fierce warrior spirit, his transformation is mesmerizing—bulging with intensity, vulnerability, and that signature Shetty swagger. Rukmini Vasanth shines as the queen, bringing grace and fire to a role that’s more than just arm candy. Veterans like Jayaram and Achyuth Kumar add gravitas, while newcomers like Gulshan Devaiah inject fresh edge.

Behind the lens, it’s Hombale Films at their peak. Shetty’s direction amplifies the scale without losing the intimacy of the first film. Cinematographer Pratheesh Varma captures the misty forests like a living entity, and the VFX (hello, those ethereal daivas) rivals Hollywood blockbusters. Loknath’s score? Goosebump fuel—folk beats that evolve into orchestral thunder. In IMAX or Dolby, it’s transcendent.

Box Office Blitz : Crossing the Century Mark in Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Time

Forget slow burns; Kantara Chapter 1 hit the ground sprinting. On Day 1, it raked in ₹61.85 crore net in India across languages, including paid previews, making it one of the biggest South Indian openers of 2025. Worldwide, it notched around ₹90 crore, eclipsing Stree 2 and Saiyaara in a single day. Day 2 (today, as I write) saw a dip to ₹38.77 crore net India, but that’s still massive—pushing the two-day total to ₹100.62 crore domestically and over ₹103 crore globally. In the Hindi belt alone, it’s the 8th biggest South Indian opener ever, trailing only titans like Pushpa 2 and Baahubali 2.

Kannada circuits are on fire, with Tamil Nadu holding steady at ₹1.84 crore by evening. The word-of-mouth is electric—some theaters in Bengaluru are adding midnight shows, and advance bookings for the weekend are surging. Projections? Easily ₹300+ crore in India if the momentum holds. Hombale’s gamble on a prequel paid off big.

Critical Acclaim and Fan Frenzy: Goosebumps or Overhype?

Critics are mostly enchanted. Sandeep Reddy Vanga called it a “cinematic thunderstorm” and “true masterpiece,” praising its raw power. 123Telugu dubs it a “captivating action drama” with “goosebump-inducing moments.” GreatAndhra raves about the second half’s “magic,” noting it surpasses the original in scale and visuals, though the narrative lags slightly. NDTV gives it 3 stars, hailing Shetty’s dominance but critiquing the predictable finale. Early aggregates? A solid 3.5-4/5, with the BGM, VFX, and climax stealing hearts.

Fans on X are a riot of devotion and debate. One viewer gushed, “Divine Rampage Continues! Folk fury meets box office glory!” with the film hitting ₹103 crore. Another called it a “class act” that ties loose ends while teasing more. But not everyone’s converted—some decry it as “okish,” with Pushpa 2’s jathara sequence outshining the whole thing. Comparisons to Baahubali 2, KGF 2, and RRR are rife, with one poll voter ranking it below BB2 but above Pushpa 2. The consensus? The wow factor from the original is dialed up in spectacle but tempered by a slower first half.

Public screenings are buzzing—reports of crowds chanting “I Saw God!” post-climax, and Tamil reviews praising the “God Vibe.” It’s divisive in the best way: a film that sparks rituals of its own.

My Take: Why It Works (and Where It Stumbles)

Kantara Chapter 1 is Shetty’s love letter to his roots—unapologetically Kannada, yet universally mythic. The devotion feels earned, not exploitative, and in a year of sequels (Pushpa 2, anyone?), it stands out for its cultural depth. The VFX and action are next-level; that spirit chase sequence? Chef’s kiss. But the pacing drags in spots, and some comedy bits feel forced, echoing Baahubali‘s excesses. Still, it’s a triumph that elevates Indian cinema’s global game.

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The Legend Continues: What’s Next?

Kantara Chapter 1 : The post-credits stinger? Pure tease for Kantara Chapter 2 in 2026, bridging this prequel to the original’s timeline. No word on a direct sequel yet, but with this momentum, expect the franchise to rival Baahubali‘s empire.