Kantara Review: Ambitious Creative Expression!

How do you turn a predictable folktale into a story worth retelling? Visuals, music, and ambitious creative expression. Kantara is a 2022 Kannada film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur, under the banner of Hombale Films. The film stars Shetty as a Kambala champion, often at loggerheads with an upright DRFO officer Murali (Kishore). Achyuth Kumar and Sapthami Gowda feature in supporting roles.

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Rishab Shetty’s persistence to glamorize the native culture of Kambala and Bhoota Kola is evident in each of his scenes through aesthetics, lights, backgrounds and dialogues. As a performer, he captivates you with elaborate action sequences and passionate deliveries. His ability to switch from “The Savior” to a “Reckless Thug” is subtle and enchanting. The supporting actors including Achyuth, Pramod, Kishore and Manasi provide noteworthy performances with the meagre screen time they get as well.

The subject being forest encroachment and caste discrimination in Dakshina Karnataka tribes is surprisingly not the entire plot, which felt like a breath of fresh air in Sandalwood. The mythical aspect of the story is treated religiously focusing on cultural conditioning rather than details, which makes it realistic yet sensitive. Having done my research on Kambala, Bhootha Kola and Daiva Nema I can vouch for the authenticity portrayed throughout the film.

The climax is the most anticipated part of the film unveiling the Bhootha within Shiva in all its grandeur. Overlooking the familiar storytelling and the sneaky idolization, Kantara is a cinematic experience which leaves you in a trance by the end of it.