User reviews

The opening and ending scene of Kantara is nothing like you've seen before. The way they wrote the mythological background was so good. But those are limited to the opening scene and climax. What happens in between is the overtold story of the rough hero who gets into trouble for his locality, his love interest and the conflict in the name of their place.

I can't believe they still write characters like Sreevalli and Leela. In the very first scene in which Leela is introduced, the hero straight up physically assaults her. There are other ways to write a romance, you know? No matter how progressed these movies become. They just can't get the female characters right.

The screenplay, direction cinematography, stunts, artwork and acting are pretty great. The screaming could've been dialed down a bit. The repeated screams might give you a headache. Rishab Shetty's performance in the climax is hands down one of the finest work I've ever seen in a Kannada movie. He handled something that could've gone very wrong really well.

It's theater material. Each person is different. This review is my opinion. Watch it in theaters and decide for yourself. Movies like these are made for theatres.

Happened to Watch Kantara (Forest), in a jampacked houseful show. Weekend was a red zone for this movie beating PS1, and Vikram Vedha in Bangalore. I had to travel 16 KM to HSR Thirumala. But all efforts were worth !

Kantara is absolutely breath taking, I some how liked more than KGF. Its a next venture of Homable films after KGF chapter 2

Kantara is an epitome of how Rishab Shetty as an Actor, DIrector and Writer finds his place is the same film. I always admired Rishab shetty for his excellent story creation and direction, From Kirik Party, Kasargodu Shaale and as an Actor in many.

Starting with the story, Kantara is a fight between good and evil, sometimes the god, sometimes the people of the forest. Eventually at the end, the god wins always, it is crafted with a touch of Boota Kola a worship from Tulu nadu - Malanadu and Northern Kerala. It resembles the Theyyam art as well. Just like the demographic picturization , kantara shot in Dakshin Karnataka forest area, the crew made an intense research on Art, Music and folklore in Kundapura to all the way Kasargod. Hence the location, Cinematography, Art all were treat for the eye.

Acting cannot be ruled out, Rishab as a main lead was excellent, Kishore did his career best role. Achyuth Kumar, Pramod Shetty, Swaraj Shetty - all were perfect cast.

Another best thing about this movie is the music , its a mixture of folklore - jaanapada a form of folk song , ajaneesh loknath is the music director. Some of the songs will give us the goosebumps.

In all words, Kantara is a story of Uprising of a Forest against its exploiters. The movie, especially the climax is an Adrenaline Rush !

Well made! 9/10.

This is a masala movie with some artistic touch. I feel it is hyped to the moon and you may feel underwhelmed after watching it. Totally predictable but the last 15 minutes are worth waiting. Atleast 20 minutes of the film could have been edited out. But still I think the movie has heart and shows us that a cinematicaly beautiful film is possible to make in budget. I saw some reviews and film essays after watching the movie and just can't understand how people can say it is beyond understanding. I may sound little harsh but it is because I felt cheated by all those YouTube movies reviewers who hyped this film like crazy.

It's an amazing movie showcasing the regional culture of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi region of Karnataka.

I am from this region and am familiar with the tradition of Bhoota Aradhana. This may seem superstitious and even scary initially, but it's okay, believe me, even I felt or used to feel the same. My humble request to the audience who are not familiar with this tradition, is that you to do a small research into 'Bhoota Kola' , 'Panjurli' and 'Guliga' daivas...this would make your experience and understanding this movie more enjoyable!.

This movie is a masterpiece trying to bring out the hidden, often misunderstood traditions into the mainstream. This is the reality, who many people in our country are not aware and it's absolutely okay. Such movies are helpful to make us all understand that India is a land of such a diversity and yet so beautiful!

What a movie... I was literally blown away by the dedication and acting of Rishabh Shetty. You need guts to pick the topic and execute in such a nice way. Mark my words this movie will get National Award. BGM, cinematography, direction and acting all were topnotch. Final 20 minutes of climax is unbelievable... never expected Rishabh Shetty got such an acting skill. Achyutha Kumar, Kishore acted really well... Daiva, kola, bootharadhane, kambala the classic culture of the Karavali Karnataka has been shown superbly. Goosebumps expected at every scene. Dont miss the climax its the core ot the movie.

Not meant for review, no words to express felling after the watch. Once in life time movie😍Daivaradhane is belief and practice till day by tulunadu people and they protect our family and land from any harm. We felt deeply connected and can only done by Rishabh Shetty being deeply rooted to place can pull this off. Movie with no flaws watched it so many times brilliant acting by cast , mind-blowing music and camera work .Last few minutes felt vibration throughout body seeing Rishabh acting felt divine blessings behind it ,tears rolled down eyes at end 🙏This needs to reach highest audience across India.

Epitome of acting! Chilling experience!

It's a mystical thriller and slice of life......... Top class direction, BGM, cinematography, choreography & touch of spirituality. I watched yesterday night, and the movie's experience is still with me like an hang over and not able to get out of it!!!!!!!!

There are times in history of cinema, when nativity of certain culture comes to life, with such authenticity, at the same time keeping the mystical part without dilution, and enhancing audience experience to touch the divinity! Watch to experience it.

Kudos to Producer and director for giving us such cult classic!! Whooooooooo.

Rarely does a movie like this come out which makes you feel you have been transported into another world. As a tuluva this made me so proud. More than anything else I want to thank Rishab Shetty for bringing out and showing our motherland and its rich culture to the entire world.

Coming to the movie part, it was nothing less than perfect. The acting, the story telling, the cinematography etc was class apart <3 Rishab shettre ereg dever edde malpad. Keep growing and keep delivering such master pieces throughout your life. This movie should receive National award and Rishab Anna should also receive National award for his brilliant acting.

No words to explain.... Outstanding Cinema. All departments hardwork shows in the screen. Aravind Kashyap cinematography is next level. BGM and Song from Ajaneesh gives goosebumps. The Director and Actor Rishabh Shetty is fire. Saptami Gowda did excellent and romantic part is very raw and goes with the story well. Kishore and Achyuth Sir perfect casting and brought justice to the role. Subtle comedy by Shiva and Gang keeps the story moving. The last climax is the must watch theatre experience and a divine moment. Proud film from Kannada industry and deeply rooted cultural but commercial entertainer. Finally thanks for Hombale Films to backing this project.

From to start to an end picture was outstanding and even better direction from rishab shetty bohut acha film he kundapura especially manglore me jo davi aradana challah he uska bohut ache se dikaya he climax ke last 10 minute was outstanding Rishab shetty direction even better than before acting tho badiya ti kishore ka acting bi jabardast ta debuted heroin ka acting teek taak ta overall great performance by actors especially music was outstanding bgm super cinematography outstanding total rooted regional movie with great content overall masterpiece aisa movie kannada industry me abhi tak nahi aya thank you.

Prefection everything about this film is out of this world they have shown dakshin kannada culture very well absolutely loved it and rishab shetty sir really showed his true potential with this movie both as an actor and a director and kishore sir always delivers be it any role the visuals,set background music was just divine hats off to ajaneesh sir and please homable films make more movies like this as everyone will get to experience the rich indian culture everywhere all over the world and all the rest of the cast have also done theur roles very well shiva's gang is just hilarious everyone must watch it in theatres NOW!

Absolutely bonkers, wild and a movie worth for a discussion. This film impresses with its variety of forms and feelings - there is a whole bunch of emotions. Rishab Shetty has the ability to cater his films to moviegoers of all class and successfully crossed that divide between indie and mainstream. Even his production 'Pedro' and which is doing wonders in the festival circuit endows his ability to strike a balance. Likewise with Rakshit Shetty who has backed so many indie films including the recent Sakutumba Sametha (2022).

Coming to Kantara, this film has so many layers of complexity and it's amazing Rishab expresses a lot while keeping it grounded, rooted and minimalistic. With unending sound of the biosphere set in Tulunadu as a conjunction between ecology, greed of man, civilization and everything in between sums up the tone of the film. I loved the idea of the flashback and voiceover to set things going from the start. On the other hand, this is a proper commercial film so expect all the genre troupes, elevations, guy falling head over heels in love and a story done to death. But Rishab stands out as he chooses this inalienable closeness of mother earth and man, adds the main ingredient, i.e. Is ENTERTAINMENT!

Even Shiva as the rebel concept was conveyed so well, the face-off that involves internal and external conflicts will immerse you. His character is grey and not without its downsides as he lives in two worlds at the same time. The first is the world of flesh and bone, and the second is the divine, which is his true calling to carry the legacy of his father. The realization is pretty good, when he gets nightmares for the wrongdoings, he is led to this mysterious place in the forest, like a portal. It happens in the pre-climax after the brilliant "i am cleansed," scene, very short and doesn't go into full details of the transformation. The gloomy atmosphere in the film occupies a central niche, besides, the tone of that forest, it also contributes to the overall outcome of the film.

The visuals are ideally combined with subplots and the authenticity to mix the culture of Kambla and Bhootha Kola is not an overkill. It is picturized so well as the climax moments densely settles in memory for quite a long time and it will be the same for other viewers too.

The main thing here is that the spirit of Rishab Shetty to keep it authentic right from music, staging, actors and ending with costumes. It is really tough that he will have another big film comparable to Kantara in his career. To put it simply and briefly, I am delighted with the viewing. Enjoyed every minute from start to finish. A community watch, a spectacle made for only celluloid experience. I know when this will be out on OTT so called shallow cinephhiles, purists, Xenolingohassens will find it cringe and problematic. I am still going with 10/10 sure I'm obviously biased, the making, production value soothed the drought of content driven commercial films lacking in kannada industry. Mark my words, this will be remembered by those who have experienced it only on the bring screen even after decades.

What a masterpiece created by Rishabh Shetty 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻, his character as Shiva will remain in everyone's heart whoever watches the movie. The story line, screenplay, cinematography omg it's all mind-blowing. Rishabh the mastermind behind this movie is proving again and again that he can create magic onscreen, his entry by kambala scene was on fire. Each and every character in the movie has taken the movie to the next level, can't choose one to praise them. But Kishore as DRFO and Acchyuth Kumar as landlord are terrific to watch. Ajaneesh's music is treat to watch, his BGMs will make you to sit at the edge of your seat.

A show of Tulunad culture from rishabh Shetty and team,even a single minute is not getting bored,neatly shown the bhootakola and taulava culture. Songs are specially heart touching,cinematography is at the peak level,especially shooting the night visuals they nailed it with camera works. And the fight scenes are made sooo realistic especially that Kambala fight scene,And the co actors like murali, achyuth and the female leads of the movie are given the top level of their acting. And the comedy part also driven fantastically in the movie, Finally the climax , never seen such a great climax till date that much goosebumps in the climax,Don't miss this in theaters.

Must watch movie, believe or not, it is made with comparatively very very low budget of 16 Cr and you can expect a better making quality (SCRIPT, DIRECTION, ACTION, MUSIC, SCREENPLAY, BGM.... Etc) than Bahubali, KGF, Bramhastra any recent Indian movie you name which were made with a very high budget of 100 Cr to 500 Cr.

Initially it was released in one language KANNADA, gradually through mouth words it's created a hype and the movie itself created demand for dubbing to other languages. And it's pure dominance of South movie on bollywood.

It's a pride of Indian culture , Indian cinema, sandalwood, South India.

Seriously, one of the most overrated movies I've watched Basically "Pushpa With Fantasy Elements" Is what summarizes this film.

Only the scenes involving Panjauli dev(Opening scene, horror scenes, climax) were good and worth watching Otherwise it's just Pushpa, nothing else Promoting all kind of anti social activities like objectifying women, disrespecting government officials, destroying forest, illegal animal hunting, etc

Didn't even consider cheesy dialogues, bad acting by some cast members(Ofc Rishabh Shetty did a good job here) and still it's so much.

I'd have given it 5/10(Rating Of Film Pushpa) The only reason it got a little more is because of the scenes involving Panjurli dev.

One of the best movie, I watched yet. The story is really good it Never look we are feeling bored. The Director and contain, acting is really good.. and it give a sense of nature like how we are running the life of schedule tribe..one day someone come and say this is government land and you have to leave ..it's show the face of society and the believe of their system..I can watched this movie again..The acting is really superb and the dance by devta is really good..I still can feel the vibe of the movie..and the end is different..I recommend to watch it ..worth for money..will feel you watched something good..

Kantara is a good movie however I would not rate this movie as a blockbuster.

Acting, Screenplay,Dialogues are good, actor who is a director, writer has some good skills.

I believe concept could have been better, in mid time movie turned out to be bit stagnant which doesn't act has barrier. Suspense could have been better, it was quite obvious, about the villian, I think this needed a twist which would make audiences to think who might be the villian, easy thought process.

Actress was perfect in her role, even other actors were blended in the movie, that's sometime rare to see.

Overall would rate this movie - 6 Good work by Mr. Shetty !!

I seriously dont undertsand all the hooplah around it. Yes, the God-messenger thing is kind of novel but everything else is what we have been seeing in Indian movies for past several decades, the main storyline being the rich oppressing the poor or say the upper class oppressing the lower. Acting is loud, so is the background, it felt more like noise than background score. Climax is good, everything else is bore. I didnt find anything worth praising, there arent any special moments or dialogues either. I found it nothing but loud, too loud. Filled with overacting characters. I repent watching it.

Being a Mangalorean, witnessing the bhoota kola and the power of the daivas is nothing new. But, the way it is depicted in the movie is unbelievable. Was trying to find faults, but did not get a chance. Such was the energy, dedication, acting (or should I call it daiva personified).

The last 15-20 mins shows why Rishab as an actor has to be looked out for!!! I will not call it acting as it looked soo real that I am lost for words!!!

The only one thing that I felt was it was stretched a little bit towards the end with all those violence, but no regrets... enjoy the movie and learn about the beauty of Tulunadu culture.