Cast: Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, Pramod Shetty, Prakash Thuminad, Rakesh Poojari
Crew:
Cinematography by Arvind S. Kashyap
Musical Ajaneshoeheath.
Edited by Suresh Mallaiah
Written & Edited by Rishab Shetty
Produced by Vijay Kiragandur, Chaluve Gowda
Production House: Hombale Films
Release by Mythri Movie Makers
Kantara became a National sensation and Rishab Shetty won National Award for his performance. Now, he is back with prequel to the revered legend of North Karnataka tribal villages, Bhootha Kola, in Kantara Chapter 1. Hombale Films after a huge success like Mahavatar Narasimha is back with this larger than life devotional film. Rukmini Vasanth has been added to the cast and the makers promised another immersive theatrical experience. Let’s discuss about the film in detail.
Plot:
An evil King of Bhangra starts to decimate all the tribes for his pleasure and he enters Lord Shiva’s Forest Garden, filled with great herbs and medicinal values. Shiva Ganas save the villagers and forest from him and his son, Vijayendra (Jayaram) returns in fear as a kid. He nurses dark forces to save himself and grows into a powerful King but always lives in fear of Kantara. People in Kantara, find a kid and name him Bermi (Rishab Shetty). At the same time, Vijayendra’s daughter is a still-born and dark forces bring her alive. He names her Kankavathi (Rukmini Vasanth).
Bermi grows up listening to legends of the land and becomes very powerful to grow as young leader. He decides to cross the border and trade herbs for great riches. He goes to Bandar, the port bazaar for trading. Kanakavathi accepts for his trade but her brother Kulasekhara (Gulshan Devaiah) opposes and burns down Kantara. What happens next? Will there be peace between tribal people and Kingdom? Watch the movie to know more about the lore.
Analysis:
Rishab Shetty, once again, performed in excellent fashion in Guliga Deva sequences. What new he could add to the performance, he did to his best of abilities. He looked the part and designed his role pretty well. But as a writer, he gave himself a very straight-forward role without any journey or new learnings like in the first one. He again played mostly on oppression, untouchability elements but on a lower end of spectrum.
These troupes start looking too obvious as the narrative progresses. We see random motivation for protagonist rather than a fixed goal. It mostly seems like an adventure seeking person trying out different things rather than a serious leader being shaping up. This would be a minus as viewers are never allowed to feel the characters and motivations. It seems to be edited in a fashion to rush to big action frames.
Action sequences are long and at times feel too obvious. The looming terror on the villagers or arrival of Shiva Gana doesn’t really ring in same effect like in the first part. The narrative is so set in stone that it becomes predictable and tiring after a point. Still, Rishab Shetty packs some surprises to engage us in the slow burn type screenplay. Few details and devations to include comedy feel unnecessary with second half being packed with heavy sequences.
Rukmini Vasanth is beautiful and she carried her role pretty well. Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram are good in their parts. Technically and production values wise, the movie is once again very good. Ajaneesh Loknath BGM lacks the finesse of first one but he elevated major sequences with his music. Still, the writing feels too scrambled with commerical elements and age old story.
Some of the local lore and folklore are new to other areas people and hence, such information scenes needed time and strong visuals to let the people grasp them. Rather Rishab tried to package larger-than-life wow shots more and more than putting in more effort to make the story universe more familiar to audiences. Kantara Chapter 1 remains a good attempt with few solid sequences here and there but falls short of the finese that the first part showcased.
Bottomline:
Lower the expectations better the movie feels. Lacks impact as narrative feels too stretched for a simple story.
Rating: 2.75/5
Disclaimer: The views/opinions expressed in this review are personal views/opinions shared by the writer and organisation does not hold a liability to them. Viewers’ discretion is advised before reacting to them.
