Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1

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Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1

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2h 50m

Action

Adventure

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83%

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12 Reviews

92%

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250+ Verified Ratings

The ritual of Bhuta Kola takes root in the culture of pre-colonial Karnataka during the Kadamba dynasty. Simultaneously, the rise of Kaadubettu Shiva also begins.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

The first half spends stretches in world-building, layering history, ritual and politics. It’s a breathless visual spectacle, loaded with concepts and commentary. The last 45 minutes, while packed with spectacle, are where the film unravels most.

Oct 6, 2025

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Anupama Chopra

The Hollywood Reporter

A sprawling, epic battle of good versus evil.

Oct 3, 2025

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Anandu Suresh

The Indian Express

...[Rishab Shetty] manages to offer audiences a visual treat like never before, often compensating for its narrative deficiencies.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 14, 2025

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Sucharita Tyagi

Sucharita Tyagi (YouTube)

As the film expands in scale, its narrative structure rapidly goes haywire. Too many short stories and subplots are piled on top of each other in quick succession, and the screenplay sways further and further away from the film’s philosophy.

Oct 6, 2025

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Dipankar Sarkar

Talking Films

Kantara: Chapter 1 does not carry the same emotional force as its predecessor, offering grandeur where intimacy is missed.

Oct 5, 2025

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Vivek M.V.

The Hindu

Rishab pushes his creative decisions to deliver an extensive and spectacle-heavy sequel that is high on entertainment value.

Oct 3, 2025

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Saurabh A

Storytelling like never before ! Oscar worthy performance by Rishab Shetty !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/18/25

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Sivakumar V

Amazing movie. Must watch in big screen

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/17/25

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Vikraanth

Excellent, well-crafted, period-devotional action thriller film by Rishab Shetty sir and team! Ajaneesh Loknath sir is another backbone of the film, followed by excellent performances from the star-studded cast!! Looking forward to Chapter 2

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Avi N

Worth a watch on the big screen. The first 30 minutes and the last 1 hour is a visual spectacle and worth the theater experience. Movie is dragging in the first half and has It's slow paced and unwanted comics. Rishab has nailed it with brilliant performance.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Avinash M

A master piece with clean and detailed characterization. Every single frame of the film is so well crafted with pure and high quality, Every single character did their justification to their roles and no one missed their limits of delivering the role. What else can we say for this master piece from the Writer, Director and Main lead as a hero., He just made his duty at a perfection and precise. Talking about the female lead, I never expected the role would fit her that way. She was charming and bubbly, Her role got me into the film much more deeper than I went. Never expected her to deliver the characterization and she did more than the Male lead. sorry to say this, but she became fav to me now. Loved her seeing from a lovely lady to a protagonist, rest of the roles is set aside. She made the movie to move atleast 5 levels up with her unique style of portraying the role. Kudos to entire cast. Much waiting for Chapter 2

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

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Harsha Reddy

Excellent visuals, mind blowing performance, amazing story

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/25

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Rishab Shetty

Director

Rishab Shetty

Berme

Rukmini Vasanth

Kanakavathi

Jayaram

Vijayendra

Gulshan Devaiah

Kulashekara

Rakesh Poojari

Actor

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Synopsis

The ritual of Bhuta Kola takes root in the culture of pre-colonial Karnataka during the Kadamba dynasty. Simultaneously, the rise of Kaadubettu Shiva also begins.

Director: Rishab Shetty
Producer: Chaluve Gowda, Vijay Kiragandur
Screenwriter: Rishab Shetty
Distributor: Prathyangira Cinemas
Production Co: Hombale Films
Genre: Action, Adventure
Original Language: Kannada
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 2h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1