Director Mohan G, known for Draupathi and Rudra Thandavam, took his entire family to watch Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1. He shared photos of the same and also penned a short review, recommending the film to his followers.
"#KantaraChapter1 ... A visual spectacle… No hero worship and no pan-India actors… Purely creativity, content and hard work... Finest work in Indian cinema after Baahubali, Padmaavat, Tumbbad, KGF… Pure DIVINE… Must watch in theatres," he wrote. (sic)
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 Rishab Shetty's directorial, Kantara, also features the director in the lead role as Kaadubettu Shiva. Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram are new additions to the cast, who are seen in prominent roles. Pramod Shetty, Rakesh Poojari, Prakash Thuminad, Deepak Rai Panaje, Hariprashanth M G, Shaneel Gautham and Naveen Bondel round out the cast of the film.
Kantara: Chapter 1, set during the Kadamba dynasty in pre-colonial Karnataka, follows the Bhuta Kola ritual, which became deeply rooted in the culture, laying the groundwork for the emergence of Kaadubettu Shiva.
Our CE review of the film read, "Rishab builds this world with care. The Kadamba-era backdrop, with busy ports, spice markets, and trade routes influenced by Arab and Portuguese cultures, is more than decorative history; it feels lived-in. Rituals unfold, battles rage in mud and blood, and even trade carries significance. Every drumbeat, chariot wheel, and coin connects to something larger."
The original Kantara became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time. At the 70th National Film Awards, Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor Award, and the film received the Best Popular Film Award. It was widely praised worldwide for showcasing the Bhuta Kola ritual, blending mythology, folklore and spirituality, and the implications of the man vs nature conflict.
On the technical team, Kantara: Chapter 1 features music composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, editing by Suresh Mallaiah and camera work by Arvind Kashyap. Rishab Shetty's wife, Pragathi Shetty, worked as the film costume designer.