Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (2025) Movie Review

What a day for Kantara Chapter One, also referred to as Kantara Part Two, to make its theatrical debut – on Dussehra Day morning; watching it at 7:00 AM in a packed theater full of whistles, chants and applause was a spiritual experience. The energy of the audience and the theater itself was alive with something deep, ancient and powerful that resonates deeply with our culture – the essence that made Kantara (2022) so phenomenal.

Three Years Later – The Legend’s Shadow

In order to fully appreciate what this new film has achieved, we need to take a trip down memory lane – three years. In 2022, when Kantara was released, it did so with little fanfare – no superstars and no large-scale marketing campaign. However, by the end of its theatrical run, Kantara had become a landmark event for Indian cinema. Everybody remembers that last 15-20 minutes of the film. The transformation scene, the divine dance, the possession – these moments shook audiences all over India.

On a modest budget of ₹16 crore, Kantara created a connection to faith, folklore and pure emotion that even the most expensive films could not create. Its power – its simplicity and soul. Therefore, when Rishab Shetty announced that the next installment of the series would be titled Kantara Chapter One, expectations rose rapidly.

According to reports, the budget for Chapter One was approximately ₹125 crore – roughly 8x greater than the budget for the original. As a result, however, comes a lot of pressure – can Rishab recreate the same magic that he created with the original or will the pressure to meet expectations crush him?

The Storyline – The Origin

At the beginning of the film, the young boy, Shiva (same as in the first part), asks a question: “Why did my dad leave me in that same place?” This single line establishes the theme of the film – a journey to discover the roots, the mythology and the secrets that formed the world of Kantara.

Centuries prior to the events of the original, we are taken to a previous time period, when gods were believed to walk among men. A dense forest called Kantara forms the core of this world. A tribe of forest dwellers, the worshipers of their guardian god, live in harmony with nature. But this peaceful coexistence does not last.

Enter King Vamshendra and his son, Prince Rudra (Gulshan Devaiah). The king’s son is a careless, arrogant man – addicted to power and liquor. Once upon a time, a contract was agreed upon by the royal family and the tribal people: the king’s people would never enter the forest and the tribal people would never leave the forest. But with time and pride, the royal family broke that agreement.

Bairava (Rishab Shetty) – the man who questions the status quo and explores new ways of living – lives amongst the tribe. He is a man of both intellect and instinct – bold, curious and different. When Prince Rudra’s carelessness threatens the balance of the forest, fate puts Bairava and Prince Rudra at odds with each other – and that is the spark that ignites a fire that will engulf everything.

As a myth within a myth – the story is being told to the younger Shiva – the film creates a prequel and a divine origin story at the same time.

Story Telling – Layered, Cohesive and Powerful

While the first Kantara took nearly two hours to build up to that memorable final 15-20 minutes, Chapter One feels more contained and compact. The story makes sense from the start of the film. There is no extraneous roaming or extraneous material. Each scene leads to a larger mythology and to the emotional foundation of the Kantara universe.

The world-building is remarkable. From the ancient rituals to the spiritual connection between humans and nature, every element is believable. The screenplay does not give away the background information – it trusts the audience to absorb the cultural essence.

There are some lighter moments in the film too. There are a few brief comedic relief characters to counterbalance the tension, and although the inclusion of the light-hearted elements seems somewhat unnecessary at times, they do not interfere with the overall story.

The pacing is calculated – slow enough to allow the story to breathe, and fast enough to accommodate the necessary action. Rishab Shetty has managed to keep your attention for nearly three hours with no dull moments. That is no easy task.

Rishab Shetty – Heart, Mind & Body of This Franchise

No question, Rishab Shetty is the heart, mind & body of this franchise. In addition to writing, directing & acting (he does all three at a level that would exhaust most people) his passion for storytelling comes across in every shot of the film.

He looks physically like a desi warrior – he is a large man; earthy; grounded. He doesn’t have chiseled abs or a gym trained body; however, he has strength the way true men from the earth do – naturally strong; like a bull getting ready to charge.

However, it’s his performance that gives the film its strength. He expresses himself through his eyes, facial expressions, and silence. Whether he is speaking to his people as Bairava, praying as Bairava, or fighting as Bairava – the intensity of his performances will overwhelm you.

As an example of the level of dedication he brought to this role; I’ve seen several sequences where the line between him being an actor and being the deity he was portraying gets blurred. There were a couple of times where he appeared to be possessed by the spirit of the deity he portrayed. The audience in my theater was completely silent at these moments; then erupted into applause a few seconds later.

The Music & Sound – Divine In Every Note

If anything should get the same amount of recognition as Rishab’s performance; it would be the music. Composer Ajaneesh Loknath has delivered a divine soundtrack once again for Kantara Chapter One.

Every note and beat of traditional instruments, every chant, every gust of wind, every drumbeat, and every other element of the soundtrack come alive. When the background score combines with Rishab’s performance; it stirs up something primeval within the viewer. It feels more like divine echoes than it does background music.

I’ve seen tears in the eyes of many viewers due to the music alone; especially during the climactic rituals and battles. Additionally, the sound design in the film is spot on as well. You can feel the forest – the rustling leaves, the flames of fire burning, and the whispers of the divine.

Supporting Cast – Solid Pillars of a Monument

Rukmini Vasanth, playing the female lead, adds a human touch to an otherwise intense storyline. Her chemistry with Rishab is genuine and understated – she and Rishab bring to their characters a mutual respect and a common struggle, as opposed to the typical romantic tropes.

Gulshan Devaiah, playing the prince, is another great casting decision for this film. He embodies the arrogance of privilege and the moral decay of the elite perfectly. His transformation from being oblivious to the divine consequences of his actions to realizing them is one of the emotional high points of the film.

Each member of the supporting cast of tribal elders, soldiers, and villagers also add to the credibility of the film. Each member of the supporting cast delivers performances that never appear artificial or detached from the environment of the film.

Visuals and Production Design – Worth Every Rupee

Now let’s talk about the visuals. With a ₹125 crore budget; you would expect a lot of grandeur; but what you see on the screen appears even larger. The cinematography of Arvind S. Kashyap is simply breathtaking. Every frame of the film is like a painting; filled with natural light, mist, and flames.

The forest itself is a character in the film; alive; breathing; ancient. The camera captures the beauty and danger of the forest in every frame. The use of wide shots, drone sequences, and long takes create a sense of immersion that few films achieve.

The action scenes of the film are incredibly well-choreographed – raw; practical; energetic. A standout moment of the film was a chariot battle on a mountainous road that left the entire theater gasping. The editing of the battle scene was flawless, leaving me wondering if they actually filmed it that way.

Unlike most modern films that utilize a lot of green screening; Kantara Chapter One is tangible. You can almost smell the dirt and feel the heat of the torches.

Symbolism – Faith, Nature, & Divine Justice

Kantara Chapter One is more than just a fun ride; it continues the series’ exploration of faith; nature; and divine justice. The film explores human greed; and ego; while celebrating humility; and faith.

The forest in Kantara Chapter One is more than a location; it is sacred ground. It punishes those who exploit it and rewards those who protect it. The narrative reflects the time-honored Indian philosophy that nature and divinity are one and the same.

Using mythology not only to create spectacle; but also to make commentary on modern society; Rishab Shetty uses myth to highlight the contrast between materialism and spirituality. The conflict between the forest and the kingdom is representative of the endless struggle between materialism and spirituality.

Flaws – Naming Issues & Similarities to the First Film

Kantara Chapter One like all other films is not perfect.

One major flaw in Kantara Chapter One is the title itself. Since this is technically the second installment of the series, using “Chapter One” creates much confusion. Although it’s understandable since it’s actually a prequel to the original film, “Chapter One” still seems overly complicated. If they had used something as simple as “Kantara Part Two” or “Kantara: The Beginning”, the confusion would’ve been greatly reduced.

Another flaw with Kantara Chapter One is that there are similarities to the first film that are both similar in setup and style. The first film was very successful in how it presented many of the different sequences in the film. In addition to the same type of sequences, the structure of the two films are also very similar. Even though the first film did this well, and it doesn’t appear as if it was done lazily, it does create a somewhat repetitive feeling at times.

In addition, the CGI creature at the end of the film is not entirely believable. As mentioned before, the majority of the film has a great deal of authenticity and roots to it, but the CGI creature somewhat breaks the spell of this authenticity. Even though it is not bad, in a film as realistic as Kantara Chapter One, a little bit of anything that is not believable can be noticed.

Emotional Connection – Beyond Cinema

Although there were a few minor flaws with Kantara Chapter One, the emotional connection created by the film is incredibly strong. The film did not use the traditional method of creating an emotional connection by relying solely on shocking images or cheap thrill moments, but instead built an emotional connection with your soul.

By the time the film reached the climax, you were no longer watching a film, you were viewing a ritual. You could feel your heart pounding, your eyes getting moist, and your spiritual being awakened. The film became an experience and not simply an entertaining film.

This is exactly where Kantara Chapter One rises above cinema. This is not merely a story about characters and their journeys; it is about having faith, knowing who you are, and how humans relate to the divine.

Conclusion – Perfect, but for a Reason

At the conclusion of Kantara (2022), fans and viewers alike wanted to know if Rishab Shetty could possibly top what he accomplished with the first film. With Kantara Chapter One (2025), he not only equals his previous achievement, but takes it further.

With almost three hours of continuous engagement, the film never lingers, never feels forced, and even when it slows down, it allows you to catch your breath and take in the moment.

The visuals are majestic, the acting is intense, the music is divine, and the directing – pure vision.

There are certainly a couple of flaws – the confusion with the title, some of the repetition from the first film, and the CGI creature at the end of the film is not perfect – however, none of these issues will detract from your overall experience.

As the last scene of the film ends and the divine chant begins to echo throughout the theater, you feel thankful – not merely for seeing a film, but for experiencing a piece of cinematic history.

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (Perfect)

Verdict: An absolute must-see theatrical experience. Spiritually powerful, visually stunning, and emotionally overwhelming. Bring your family, and bring your faith.

If you enjoyed Kantara (2022), then this is a journey you will not want to miss.

Attend the theater, listen to the drums, and allow the forest to speak to you once again.

Tata, good-bye – until the next chapter.