Page 40 - The Indian EYE 101725

EYE ON BOLLYWOOD OCTOBER 17, 2025 | The Indian Eye 40

‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ Roars Beyond Cinema

— A Cultural Phenomenon in Motion

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has not just broken box office records

but reignited the soul of Indian storytelling, merging mythology, mysticism, and cinema in an

experience that has captivated millions across the country

OUR BUREAU
Mumbai / Bengaluru
hen Kantara: Chapter 1 hit theatres on
October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayan-
Wti and Dussehra, few expected the kind
of cultural and commercial storm it would unleash.
But within 24 hours, Rishab Shetty’s prequel to his
2022 cult hit Kantara became a nationwide sensa-
tion, selling over 1.28 million tickets and recording
the highest Day 1 sales of 2025 on BookMyShow.
The roar of Kantara was back — deeper, louder,
and more spiritual than ever before.
From small-town screenings to multiplex chains,
the film has drawn audiences not just to witness cin-
ema, but to experience a divine spectacle. Kantara:
Chapter 1, written, directed, and headlined by Shet-
ty, dives into the origins of Daiva worship in Tulu-
nadu, tracing its mythic roots to the fourth-century
Kadamba dynasty. At its heart is Berme, the protec-
tor of the Kantara forest — a man, a myth, and a
mirror to India’s complex spiritual heritage.
Rishab Shetty’s emotional post on X summed up
his journey: “From struggling to get one evening show
in 2016 to 5000+ houseful shows in 2025. This journey
is nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace.” Actor Gulshan Devaiah speaks during a press conference, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Kantara: Chapter 1 actor-director Rish-
That statement resonated across social media, ab Shetty, actors Jayaram and Rukmini were also present (ANI Photo/Atul Kumar Yadav)
as fans and industry peers hailed Shetty’s meteoric
rise. What began as a regional Kannada experiment
in 2022 has evolved into a national cinematic move- once again proves he is one of the finest storytellers and I’m still shaking,” one fan wrote. “I don’t think
ment in 2025. His craftsmanship — an uncompro- of our times.” anybody else can even match 1% of what Rishab has
mising blend of folklore, faith, and fierce storytelling At its core, Kantara: Chapter 1 isn’t merely a done in Kantara Ch1.”
— has made him a creative force across linguistic film — it’s an ode to India’s layered spirituality. The Shetty, however, has urged fans to uphold that
and cultural borders. story unfolds amid the dense forests of coastal Kar- spirit by avoiding piracy. In a heartfelt note, he
Acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga nataka, where man and nature coexist under the wrote: “#KantaraChapter1 is as much yours as ours.
was among the first to call the film “a cinematic thun- unseen gaze of the divine. Shetty’s character Berme Please don’t share or record videos. Let’s keep the
derstorm.” His words, “Indian cinema has never seen embodies the conflict between earthly greed and sa- magic alive in theatres.”
anything like this before — raw, divine, and unshak- cred duty, as royal power struggles collide with the The appeal has struck a chord — audiences
able,” echoed the sentiments of millions who walked tribal faith in Daivas — protectors of the land. across states have honored his request, choosing to
out of theatres stunned by what they had witnessed. Rukmini Vasanth delivers a graceful yet pow- celebrate the experience communally, in packed the-
Veteran actor Anupam Kher too joined the cho- erful performance, while Gulshan Devaiah and Ja- atres that feel more like temples than auditoriums.
rus of admiration, calling Kantara: Chapter 1 “mag- yaram lend emotional depth to the film’s moral bat- Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve
ical brilliance.” Watching it with his family, Kher tles. B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music score, described Gowda under Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter
wrote, “I am speechless. I wish I had more words to by Vanga as “otherworldly,” elevates the film’s at- 1 reinforces the banner’s growing reputation as
describe your and your entire team’s magical bril- mosphere, weaving in haunting chants and rhythmic a powerhouse of rooted, yet pan-Indian cinema.
liance! May Lord Ram bless you.” beats that pulse through every frame. After KGF and Salaar, the studio has once again
Even film critics, often divided on mythic cin- The attention to cultural detail — from rituals tapped into India’s mythological imagination —
ema, have found common ground. Trade analyst to dialects, from costumes to landscapes — cements but with a realism that resonates deeply with mod-
Taran Adarsh called it a “stunning spectacle” — a Kantara: Chapter 1 as not just cinema, but a preser- ern audiences.
fusion of mythology, breathtaking visuals, and vation of oral tradition on film. Rishab Shetty’s film doesn’t just tell a story. It
soul-stirring storytelling. What makes the Kantara phenomenon unique carries a spirit — ancient, fierce, and unforgettable.
“Right from its opening sequence, Kantara: is its impact beyond the box office. Fans have de- In the age of digital distractions, Kantara: Chapter
Chapter 1 transports you into a world that is raw, di- scribed it as a spiritual awakening, a reminder of In- 1 has achieved something rare: it has made millions
vine, and majestic,” Adarsh wrote. “Rishab Shetty dia’s ancestral roots. “I just came out of the cinema bow — not to spectacle, but to storytelling.

www.TheIndianEYE.com