Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (2025) Review: A Divine Spectacle That Expands the Myth, But Stumbles on Its Weight

Rishab Shetty returns to the director’s chair with Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, a visually resplendent and spiritually charged prequel to his 2022 cult hit Kantara. Diving deep into the roots of folklore, faith, and fury, this mythological epic ambitiously attempts to decode the origins of divine legend. The result is grand, immersive, and often breathtaking — but not without its flaws.

A Prequel Forged in Myth and Faith

Set centuries before the events of Kantara (2022), this chapter transports us to the era of the Kadamba dynasty. It seeks to unveil the spiritual and cultural genesis of the mysterious deity that shaped the first film’s world.
Rishab Shetty — who writes, directs, and stars — shoulders a mammoth task: blending ancient legend with modern cinematic sensibilities. What emerges is part historical fantasy, part divine odyssey, and entirely rooted in the soil of coastal Karnataka’s traditions.

Visual Grandeur and Cinematic Brilliance

If there’s one thing Kantara: Chapter 1 cannot be faulted for, it’s the visual experience. The production design and cinematography are awe-inspiring — dense forests, chariot chases, temple rituals, and mythic battles unfold with painterly precision.
Every frame feels like an offering to the gods of cinema. The visual language, supported by Ajaneesh Loknath’s pulsating score, elevates the spiritual intensity to something almost trance-like.

The climactic sequences — especially the divine manifestation scenes — are among the most visceral moments Indian cinema has offered this year. They earn the word goosebumps in every sense.

Performances that Anchor the Spectacle

Rishab Shetty once again proves he’s more than just a storyteller; he’s a force of nature. His portrayal balances raw power and spiritual turmoil, embodying both man and myth.
Rukmini Vasanth shines as Kanakavathi, a warrior princess whose poise and ferocity bring depth to an otherwise male-dominated narrative. Her physical preparation and emotional restraint are impressive, marking her as one of Kannada cinema’s standout talents.

Supporting performances from Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram lend gravitas, even if their arcs occasionally feel underwritten.

The Story’s Strengths and Struggles

While the film dazzles in its visuals, it falters in narrative pacing. The screenplay occasionally meanders, weighed down by dense exposition and prolonged subplots. There’s ambition in every frame — myth, politics, faith, divine conflict — but not all of it lands with equal impact.

Compared to the first Kantara, which felt raw and deeply personal, Chapter 1 leans more toward spectacle than soul. The grounded intimacy of the 2022 film gives way to an epic scale that sometimes overshadows emotional depth.

Dialogues oscillate between profound and overwrought, and some mythic beats echo too closely to familiar folklore tropes.

Technical Excellence

Despite its uneven storytelling, the film is a technical triumph.
The sound design amplifies every beat of the ritual drums. The VFX — especially during divine transformations — feels organic rather than excessive. The editing, though occasionally indulgent, complements the rhythmic energy of the narrative.

It’s a film that demands to be experienced in theaters, where the reverberation of chants and the rumble of hooves can truly be felt.

Verdict: A Grand Myth Reborn

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is an ambitious and reverent addition to the Kantara universe. It’s not perfect — the pacing lags, and the writing occasionally overreaches — but its spiritual core and visual mastery make it one of the most significant Kannada releases of 2025.

For audiences who crave epic storytelling steeped in culture and mysticism, this chapter offers a powerful cinematic pilgrimage.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A visually mesmerizing, emotionally resonant, and occasionally overstuffed epic that reinforces Rishab Shetty’s position as a bold visionary of Indian cinema.

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