Kantara: Chapter 1 – A Divine Spectacle!!! PK Verdict: Gold⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kantara: Chapter 1 – A Divine Spectacle!!!

Rishab Shetty returns with Kantara: Chapter 1, not merely as a filmmaker but as a storyteller possessed by a higher force as he himself claimed and one can easily witness on screen. This is cinema that transcends entertainment, blurring the line between myth and reality, and leaving the audience humbled before its divine energy.

Set centuries before the events of the 2022 phenomenon, the film introduces us to a kingdom ruled by Jayaram and Gulshan Devaiah, with Rukmini Vasanth as a sharp and perceptive princess. The lore of the forbidden Kantara region remains central—an enigmatic land that even kings dare not step into. The narrative begins with scale and spectacle, layering politics, trade, folklore, and mystery. While the first half is occasionally slowed down by indulgent comedy and overstretched action, it succeeds in mounting a world of grandeur that sets up the storm to come post the interval block.

Rishab Shetty commands every frame with ferocity and spiritual depth, his performance carrying the weight of a legend in the making. Gulshan Devaiah is menacingly effective—his smirk and simmering rage etch out a memorable antagonist. Jayaram lends dignity and heft, while Rukmini Vasanth shines in a role that is far from ornamental; her presence is commanding, her arc both intelligent and powerful. A true surprise.

Cinematographer Arvind S. Kashyap once again proves why he is among the finest in Indian cinema today. His lens captures vast landscapes, ritualistic performances, and close-quarters combat with poetic detail. Each frame feels like a painting—soaked in earthy tones, flickering firelight, and divinely lit rituals that pull the viewer straight into the mystical heart of Kantara.

The background score by B. Ajaneesh Loknath is nothing short of thunderous. It is not just music but an invocation—haunting chants, booming drums, and raw folk rhythms that heighten every scene. The “Rebel Song”, in particular, is a standout—an anthem of defiance and fury that lifts the narrative into a visceral, almost primal experience. By the time it erupts, the audience is not just watching but living the experience.

If the first half builds, the second half unleashes. Despite a few tonal dips where unnecessary humor cuts into the intensity, the film never loses sight of its purpose. The true magic arrives in the final stretch—from Gulshan’s chilling confrontation to the initiation of the ritual performance that awakens Rishab’s wrath. What follows is pure cinematic ecstasy: fire, dance, fury, divinity—culminating in a climax that is both awe-inspiring spectacle and spiritual revelation. Goosebumps are guaranteed.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is not flawless—the pacing drags at times, and a sharper edit could have elevated it further. Yet these are minor dents in what is otherwise a monumental achievement. With breathtaking cinematography, an unforgettable score, stellar performances, and a climax that transcends cinema itself, Rishab Shetty delivers an immersive mythic experience that feels less like a film and more like a spiritual encounter. He makes Kantara a Divine Spectacle

PK Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gold

P.S. I saw the film in Hindi Dubbed Version and at times dubbing doesn’t land as it should specially with Gulshan’s scenes.I wish I would have seen the original Kannada language version with subtitles.