Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has been receiving tremendous praise from audiences and critics since it hit theatres on Thursday. With appreciation pouring from multiple celebrities, the latest to join the bandwagon is director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Taking to his X handle, the Animal filmmaker called it a "cinematic thunderstorm" that "Indian cinema has never seen before."
"Kantara: Chapter 1 is a true masterpiece. Indian cinema has never seen anything like this before. It's a cinematic thunderstorm, raw, divine, and unshakable. Rishab shetty delivers a true one-man show, crafted and carried single-handedly. Special mention to the BGM by by Ajaneesh Loknath," he wrote. A gratitude-filled Rishab expressed his thanks to his X post a few minutes later.
Kantara: Chapter 1 has been winning unanimous praise for its narrative, performances, storytelling, craft and visual extravaganza. According to Sacnilk.com, the period drama film had earned almost Rs 60 crore on its opening day, breaking box office records.
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."
Hombale Films, which backed both the original film and its prequel, expressed their gratitude for Jr NTR's words of appreciation. "Your support means the world to us!" they said.
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 Rishab Shetty 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.
