Kantara: Chapter 1
Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language mythological action film written, directed by, and starring Rishab Shetty.[1] Serving as a prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, it explores the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the rise of Kaadubettu Shiva during the Kadamba dynasty in pre-colonial Karnataka.[2] The film is set in the untamed wilderness of ancient Karnataka, where the story unfolds around the Kadamba reign in the fictional feudatory land of Bangra.[3] It begins with King Vijayendra meeting his fate in a mystical forest known as Kantara, leading his son Rajashekara to seal the kingdom's borders to protect its people from the divine wrath of the forest deity.[3] Years later, Prince Kulashekara defies the seal, reopening the borders through violent conquests, which draws the protagonist Berme—a fierce Naga Sadhu and warrior-mystic—into a central conflict pitting the kingdom against the forces of nature, faith, and destiny.[3][4] Produced by Hombale Films, the movie features a runtime of 2 hours and 46 minutes and is available in multiple South Indian languages including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, with English subtitles.[3] The principal cast includes Rishab Shetty in dual roles as the protagonist Berme / Mayakara and other key figures, alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah.[1] Music was composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, building on the folk-inspired score of the predecessor to emphasize themes of human-nature harmony and ancient rituals.[1] Released theatrically on October 2, 2025, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 achieved significant commercial success, grossing over 728 crores in India by its 38th day, making it the highest-grossing film of 2025 and the eighth highest-grossing Indian film of all time.[5] Critically, it received positive reviews for its visual spectacle, world-building, and cultural authenticity, earning an 85% approval rating from critics and 92% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes (as of November 2025).[2] The Hindi-dubbed version is scheduled for digital premiere on Amazon Prime Video on November 27, 2025.[6]Background and development
Relation to predecessor
Kantara (2022) is a Kannada-language folk action drama film that centers on themes of Shiva worship, ancestral traditions, and conflicts over land rights among forest-dwelling communities in coastal Karnataka.[7][8] The narrative explores the cultural practices of Bhoota Kola rituals and the veneration of local deities, highlighting the tension between traditional livelihoods and modern encroachments on sacred lands.[9] The film achieved significant commercial success, grossing over ₹400 crore worldwide, which propelled its director and lead actor Rishab Shetty to announce an expansion of the franchise.[10] Kantara: Chapter 1 serves as a prequel, set during the Kadamba dynasty era in the 4th century, delving into the ancient origins of the Kaadubettu Shiva legend and the Panjurli daiva, the boar spirit revered as a protector in Tulu Nadu folklore.[11][9] This installment expands the universe by tracing the mythological foundations that underpin the events of the original film, particularly the divine pact forged between Lord Shiva and the villagers, which establishes the enduring bond between the land, its guardians, and the deities.[12][13] The prequel illuminates how these ancient rituals and spirits, including Panjurli's role as a just enforcer, influence the cultural and spiritual legacy carried forward to the 20th-century setting of its predecessor.[14] Following the blockbuster reception of the 2022 film, Rishab Shetty, who reprises his role as writer, director, and lead actor, revealed the prequel concept in February 2023 during the original's 100-day celebration event in Bengaluru.[15][16] This announcement positioned Kantara: Chapter 1 as the foundational chapter, reframing the 2022 release as a continuation while deepening the exploration of Tulu mythology and regional heritage.[17]Announcement and pre-production
Following the massive success of the 2022 film Kantara, which grossed over ₹400 crore worldwide and earned critical acclaim for its portrayal of Tulu Nadu folklore, Hombale Films officially announced the prequel Kantara: Chapter 1 with the release of its first-look teaser on November 27, 2023.[18] The teaser, directed and starring Rishab Shetty, hinted at a deeper exploration of the mythological origins depicted in the original, setting the stage for an epic narrative rooted in ancient rituals.[18] Rishab Shetty, who wrote, directed, and starred in the project, drew heavily from Tulu Nadu folklore during the script development, incorporating extensive research into Bhuta Kola traditions and their historical context dating back to the 4th-5th century.[19] This research involved collaboration with cultural experts, historians, and local communities to ensure authenticity in depicting ancestral conflicts and divine elements, transforming the village of Kerari in coastal Karnataka's Kundapur into a key pre-production hub.[19] Shetty's team scouted locations across coastal Karnataka's dense forests and rural landscapes to capture the region's mystical terrain, emphasizing natural settings that mirrored the story's themes of human-nature harmony.[20] The script underwent a rigorous refinement process, requiring 15-16 drafts to balance mythological depth with cinematic pacing, finalized in the months leading up to the 2023 teaser release.[21] Pre-production challenges included integrating historical accuracy with large-scale visual elements, supported by Shetty's hands-on involvement alongside co-writers and a dedicated research team. Hombale Films allocated an estimated budget of ₹125 crore, a significant escalation from the original film's modest ₹16 crore outlay, to accommodate the ambitious mythological scope involving elaborate sets, costumes, and cultural consultations.[22] Early commitments focused on retaining key creative talents, including composer B. Ajaneesh Loknath, whose folk-infused score from the predecessor was pivotal in evoking the spiritual essence of Tulu Nadu.[23] Casting efforts prioritized actors attuned to the region's dialects and traditions, with initial announcements securing performers like Rukmini Vasanth and Jayaram to portray integral roles in the mythological framework, while open calls engaged local villagers for authentic ensemble parts.[19]Plot
Synopsis
Kantara: Chapter 1 is set in the ancient village of Kaadubettu, nestled amid the dense forests of coastal Karnataka during the 4th century CE under the Kadamba dynasty. The narrative unfolds in this sacred, untamed wilderness known as Kantara, where tribal communities live in harmony with nature and their animistic beliefs, centered around the Bhuta Kola rituals that invoke divine spirits to maintain balance.[24][2][25] The story begins with the greedy King Vijayendra of the Bangara kingdom venturing into the mystical Kantara forest with his son Rajashekara, where Vijayendra meets a divine fate amid supernatural fires and beasts, leaving Rajashekara scarred and sealing the kingdom's borders to appease the forest deity. Years later, Rajashekara's son, the ambitious Prince Kulashekara, defies the seal, launching violent conquests to exploit the forest's resources, leading to clashes with the Kantara tribes.[26][27] This draws in the protagonist Berme, portrayed by Rishab Shetty as a fierce Naga Sadhu, tribal warrior-mystic, and adopted son of the tribe, who is divinely protected and empowered. As a guardian of the sacred lands, Berme confronts the invading forces, including Kulashekara's army and antagonistic Kadapa warriors skilled in black magic and possession rituals. His journey involves intense forest pursuits with wild animals and mystical entities like the Brahmarakshas, deepening his bond with Kaadubettu Shiva through a divine encounter and pact to protect the ecology and traditions from exploitation.[28][29][30][31] Pivotal events include communal Bhuta Kola ceremonies, battles against the kingdom's forces, and a climactic sequence of divine possession where Berme channels the wrath of Shiva and other Daivas. The narrative culminates in the mythological origins of the Panjurli and Guliga rituals, boar- and serpent-spirited Daivas representing justice, protection, and martial forces, symbolizing the convergence of human, natural, and divine realms in defense of the sacred forest.[28][27][32]Themes and mythology
Kantara: Chapter 1 explores the core theme of harmony between humans, nature, and divinity, deeply rooted in the Bhoota Kola traditions of Tulu culture from coastal Karnataka. This ritualistic practice, central to the film's narrative, emphasizes a symbiotic relationship where communities honor ancestral spirits to maintain ecological and spiritual balance.[33][34] The mythological foundation of the film draws from the origin story of Kaadubettu Shiva as a fierce protector deity, intertwined with the legend of Panjurli, the golden boar spirit. In Tulu folklore, Panjurli emerges as an animistic guardian of the forest, forging a pact with villagers to safeguard their lands against exploitation, symbolizing divine intervention in human affairs.[33][35] This narrative extends to Guliga Daiva, another key deity in Bhoota Kola, representing martial and protective forces that bridge the earthly and supernatural realms.[34][35] An environmental allegory permeates the story, critiquing deforestation and land greed through an ancient lens that subtly parallels contemporary ecological concerns. The film portrays the encroachment on sacred forests by external forces, disrupting the tribe's traditional harmony and leading to spiritual unrest, thereby underscoring the consequences of human avarice on natural and divine orders.[34][33] Spiritual motifs in the film highlight possession rituals as vital bridges between the mortal and divine realms, inspired by authentic Bhoota Kola practices where performers embody deities to resolve conflicts. These rituals, influenced by Yakshagana storytelling traditions, blend dance, music, and drama to convey moral and cosmic lessons, portraying surrender and faith as pathways to restoration and protection.[34][33]Cast and characters
Main cast
Rishab Shetty portrays Berme and Mayakara in dual roles, with Berme as a fierce tribal warrior from the secluded hamlet of Kantara, who grapples with a profound divine calling tied to ancient forest rituals and the Bhuta Kola tradition, embodying the film's central conflict between human ambition and spiritual heritage.[36] To authentically capture Berme's physicality and combat prowess, Shetty underwent an intense two-year training regimen in Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala, alongside rigorous gym sessions, horse riding, and immersion in Bhuta Kola performances, resulting in a dramatic physical transformation marked by multiple injuries sustained during preparation.[37][38][39] Rukmini Vasanth plays Princess Kanakavathi, Berme's love interest and a figure of quiet grace within the royal court, whose emotional journey infuses the narrative with romantic depth and explores themes of duty versus personal desire amid the escalating tensions between the kingdom and the forest dwellers.[40][41] Vasanth's portrayal highlights Kanakavathi's internal conflict, drawing on her character's connection to rituals and music to add layers of vulnerability and strength to the romance subplot.[40] Jayaram depicts King Rajashekara, the authoritative ruler of the neighboring Bangara Kingdom and father to Kanakavathi and Kulashekara, serving as a pivotal mentor-like figure whose guidance in royal and ritualistic matters influences Berme's path while representing the encroaching external powers on the tribal lands.[1][42][43] His performance underscores the king's complex motivations, blending wisdom with ambition in interactions that propel the mythological arc.[44] Gulshan Devaiah embodies Kulashekara, the antagonistic prince and son of King Rajashekara, who symbolizes the exploitative royal forces intent on subjugating the sacred forest through conquest and dark alliances, driving much of the film's tension as he clashes with Berme's protective instincts.[1][36] Devaiah's intense depiction highlights Kulashekara's ruthless ambition, contrasting sharply with the protagonists' spiritual resolve and amplifying the narrative's exploration of power imbalances.[45]Supporting roles
Rakesh Poojary played Peppe, the son of Booba, infusing the narrative with comic relief and elements of familial conflict that enrich the interpersonal dynamics among the forest-dwelling characters. His portrayal of Peppe, a lively young man entangled in the community's daily struggles, highlights the lighter moments amid the film's intense mythological undertones, earning praise for its heartfelt authenticity before Poojary's untimely death in May 2025.[46][47] Achyuth Kumar portrayed Dalal, an Arab trader in a cameo role, contributing to the film's depiction of trade and external influences on the kingdom.[48][43] The production incorporated over 200 non-professional actors from villages in Karnataka to populate the crowd scenes during festivals and communal gatherings, ensuring a genuine representation of regional customs and community life. This approach amplified the film's immersive world-building by capturing the raw energy of local festivities and dialects.[19] Casting prioritized regional talent to maintain the authenticity of Tulu and Kannada dialects, as well as traditional practices integral to the Kadamba-era setting. Several actors from the 2022 film Kantara, including Achyuth Kumar and Pramod Shetty, appeared in cameos to establish narrative continuity and reinforce the shared mythological universe.[49][50]Production
Filming
Principal photography for Kantara: Chapter 1 commenced in November 2023 in the coastal regions of Karnataka, specifically in the Udupi district, including areas around Kundapur.[51][52] The production team also filmed in Dakshina Kannada, drawing on the region's rich cultural heritage for authenticity. Key filming locations encompassed the dense forests of the Western Ghats, such as the Belkal Theertha Falls near Kollur, which provided a natural backdrop for mystical sequences.[53] To depict ancient settings from the Kadamba Empire era, the crew constructed a vast 25-acre studio set in Kundapur, recreating villages and historical structures on-site.[54][51] Shiva temple sets were built specifically for ritual scenes, integrating seamlessly with the natural terrain to evoke the film's mythological essence.[55] The overall shooting schedule spanned approximately 250 days, concluding in July 2025 after multiple phases, including a 60-day marathon of intense action sequences resumed in late 2024.[56][57] Night shoots were essential for capturing the Bhoota Kola ritual sequences, reflecting the tradition's nocturnal celebrations in coastal Karnataka.[20] Production faced several logistical challenges, including significant delays due to monsoon rains in the region, which disrupted outdoor filming. Wildlife encounters in forest areas led to allegations of environmental damage and prompted strict oversight from authorities to protect local ecosystems.[58] Ensuring cultural sensitivity was paramount during Bhoota Kola recreations, with the team consulting local practitioners and later issuing appeals to audiences not to mimic the rituals, amid backlash over commercialization concerns.[59] The film was shot in 4.5K resolution using ARRI Alexa LF and Mini LF cameras paired with Cooke Anamorphic/i lenses, chosen by cinematographer Arvind S. Kashyap to capture the epic scale and dynamic range of the natural and ritualistic environments.[60] Approximately 80% of the footage was captured on real locations to maintain authenticity, with the large-format setup enhancing the immersive quality of the mythological action.[20]Visual effects and design
The visual effects for Kantara: Chapter 1 were handled by 28 Indian studios, including MPC, Zebu FX, Red Chillies VFX, Envision VFX, FutureWorks, Astra Studios, and NY VFXwaala, contributing to over 3,000 VFX shots that enhanced the film's mythological elements.[61] These effects brought to life Shiva's divine manifestations, such as the majestic tiger (huli daiva) scaled to match the Western Ghats' forests and the boar-like Panjurli daiva appearing as ethereal fire amid woodland settings.[61] Forest illusions were particularly intricate, with sequences like the tiger emerging from blazing flames in the climax requiring coordination across multiple studios to integrate backgrounds, fire simulations, and creature animations seamlessly.[61] A key challenge in the VFX pipeline was blending practical on-set effects, such as fire rituals captured during filming in coastal Karnataka's Kundapur region, with digital enhancements to depict fluid interactions between divine entities and human characters.[61] VFX supervisor KV Sanjit noted iterative refinements to the tiger's anatomy and fiery glow, ensuring a divine yet grounded aesthetic that aligned with director Rishab Shetty's vision.[61] Costume design, led by Pragathi Shetty, emphasized ancient tribal attire drawn from Tulunadu's heritage, utilizing organic fabrics like South Indian silks dyed with natural colors, Rajasthan leather, and Bengal metals to evoke authenticity.[62] Inspirations included Yakshagana dance forms, historical Tulu artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and traditional jewelry, resulting in over 1,000 custom pieces tailored for the film's tribal, royal, and ritualistic worlds.[62] Shetty's six-month research process ensured every drape and accessory reflected 4th-century coastal Karnataka, positioning the costumes as a future reference for period depictions in Indian cinema.[62] Production design by Banglan recreated a 1,000-year-old milieu with no modern references, constructing 4th-century village sets featuring thatched roofs in organic earthy tones that harmonized with the natural landscape.[63] Ritual props, handcrafted from stones, fibers, and brass without outsourcing, were integral to world-building, sourced from across India including Mumbai, Chennai, and Assam.[63] Banglan's team of around 600 artisans from multiple states faced logistical hurdles in Kundapur workshops, conducting extensive research on local flora, architecture, and customs to immerse viewers in the era's spiritual and communal life.[63]Music
Composition
B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed the score and songs for Kantara: Chapter 1, blending Carnatic classical elements with tribal folk rhythms to evoke the film's mythological and ritualistic intensity.[64] His approach incorporated ancient instruments such as the veena, mrudanga, and nadaswaram, alongside mantra-inspired motifs drawn from temple traditions and compositions over 1,000 years old, creating a soundscape that fuses devotional depth with rhythmic percussion like drums to mirror the story's ancient roots.[65][64] The recording process emphasized authenticity, with approximately 60% of the music captured outdoors in Kundapura, Karnataka, over a three-month immersion period to integrate local folk elements.[66] Loknath collaborated with temple musicians and Carnatic experts to record live chants and generational sounds, including Kundapura folk traditions, ensuring the score preserved regional devotional expressions tied to rituals like Bhoota Kola.[65][66] Key tracks drew from the film's thematic core, with the title-inspired "Brahmakalasha" echoing the intensity of the original Kantara's "Varaha Roopam" through ancient mantra-based structures and varied devotional vocals, reflecting rituals like kumbha abhishekam.[65][64] The background score for possession sequences rooted itself in land-connected folk traditions, using rare instruments like the gottuvadyam for majestic depth and tribal chants to heighten the spiritual possession dynamics.[64][66] Loknath's collaboration with director Rishab Shetty was integral, as Shetty's narrative vision guided the synchronization of music to ritualistic elements, translating emotional arcs and devotional scenes into a cohesive auditory experience.[23][65] This partnership extended to adapting 25 songs across multiple languages while maintaining the score's alignment with the film's ancient folklore.[23]Track listing and release
The soundtrack for Kantara: Chapter 1 consists of seven tracks and was released digitally on October 9, 2025, via Sony Music.[67] The album highlights regional folk and devotional elements, featuring contributions from prominent Kannada artists. Key tracks include the devotional "Brahmakalasha" performed by Abby V, the energetic "Rebel Song" by Mime Ramdas, and the closing "Varaha Roopam" by Sai Vignesh. Lyrics across the tracks are penned by various writers including Shasiraj Kavoor and Trilok Trivikrama, emphasizing mythological and cultural motifs.)| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kantara: Chapter 1" (Trailer Theme) | Instrumental | – | 2:56 |
| 2 | "Brahmakalasha" | Abby V | Shasiraj Kavoor | 5:43 |
| 3 | "Rebel Song" | Mime Ramdas | Trilok Trivikrama | 3:58 |
| 4 | "Madana Mana Mohini" | Vijay Prakash, Ananya Bhat | Pramod Maravanthe | 3:40 |
| 5 | "Agriculture Song" | Mime Ramdas | Shasiraj Kavoor | 2:26 |
| 6 | "Karma Song" | Venkatesh D. C. | Trilok Trivikrama | 4:00 |
| 7 | "Varaha Roopam" | Sai Vignesh | Shasiraj Kavoor | 4:36 |