Kantara Part 1 Review: After long anticipation, finally, Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited Kantara Part 1, a.k.a. Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 has hit theatres on October 2, 2025. The movie has created a lot of buzz among the fans and audience thanks to the massive success of its previous edition, 2022’s film Kantara. Is Kantara Chapter 1 worth it? That’s what we are going to find out in this Kantara Part 1 review, where we will look into its strengths, shortcomings, and overall cinematic impact.
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Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Overview and Rating
- Release Date: 2nd October, 2025
- Director & Writer: Rishab Shetty
- Producers: Vijay Kiragandur & Chaluve Gowda
- Stars: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, and others
- Runtime: 168 minutes
- Rating: 3.5/5
Kantara Chapter 1 Storyline and Setting
The film takes us to the centuries before the events of the original, where we explore the roots of Kantara’s folklore. The narrative tells us about Kulashekara (Gulshan Devaiah), who is presented as the new king of Bangra. On the other hand, Berme (Rishab Shetty), who is the leader of the Kantara tribe, is the major focus. A conflict emerges between the tribe and the Bangra kingdom, and this leads to high-voltage confrontations. The Kantara Part 1 story smartly blends tribal traditions, divine elements, and socio-political struggles and thus adds more depth to the Kantara universe.
Kantara Chapter 1 Performances
Rishab Shetty is undoubtedly the backbone of Kantara Part 1. He appears very natural throughout Part 1 as he adds the trance and divine possession sequences. Chapter 1 elevates the film and reminds viewers of its National Award-winning calibre. He is very natural and completely owns the character of Berme with unmatched intensity.
Rukmini Vasanth is a surprise package. She is seen in the most unique version as she plays a strong character who becomes central in the climax. Her presence is amazing, and it added the much-needed emotional weight to the story.
Jayaram was just above average, but Gulshan Devaiah’s character feels very underwhelming, and it deserved more coverage.
Technical Brilliance
Kantara Chapter 1 is the combination of some of the best technical brilliance, who have literally added life to the movie. Cinematographer Arvind S. Kashyap has painted the screen with breathtaking visuals, and B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score shouldn’t be ignored, as it creates an intense atmosphere.
The VFX sequences involving animals and divine elements are spellbinding. The chariot chase scene in the first half and the massive war sequences in the climax will tell you about the cinematic brilliance of the movie.
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High Points
- Goosebump-inducing interval block and extended climax
- Jaw-dropping action choreography and visual effects
- Rishab Shetty’s powerhouse performance
- Rukmini Vasanth’s impactful role
- Strong production values with impressive world-building
Drawbacks
Kantara Chapter 1 is not flawless. There is a visible issue with the pacing because the first half suffers due to lengthy world-building sequences. Some portions feel dragged. And some of the portions felt very rushed. The screenplay at times tries to pack in too much information, and that’s where things become underwhelming for the audience.
Additionally, yes, the music is very good, and it works well in high-octane moments, but a few songs feel average and break the flow. Suresh Mallaiah’s editing could have been tighter, especially in the first half.
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Kantara Chapter 1 Final Verdict
The Kantara Part 1 review tells us that the film is a captivating action drama that gives us a lot of goosebump-worthy moments. Though the film has slow pacing and a few rushed sequences, the movie’s breathtaking visuals, powerful performances, and divine elements make it a theatre-worthy experience.
The film, which was released with a lot of expectations, will disappoint you on the scale of low pacing; otherwise, it is a cinematic masterpiece. Rishab Shetty and lovers of grand Indian folklore cinema will enjoy Kantara Chapter 1 and find it an unmissable watch.
Watch Kantara Chapter 1 Trailer
Kantara Chapter 1 Public Review
Note
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