Kantara — Richer, Greater, and Restless
Okay, maybe you noticed or not the R factor in the Kannada industry is definitely changing the face of cinema. With the R factor, I’m referring to Rakshit Shetty(777 charlie), Rishab Shetty(Kantara, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana), and Raj B Shetty (777 Charlie, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana). All three brothers are making waves in the industry and proving that good cinema doesn’t have to be limited to a specific formula. It’s a breath of fresh air in an industry that can sometimes feel a bit stagnant. I’m really hopeful that this R factor will continue to change and improve Kannada cinema as a whole!
The three Shetty brothers — Rakshit, Kantara, and Charlie — are promoting the talent, culture, and language of Dakshina Kannada through their films. Rakshit, Rishab and Raj learn from each role they take on — whether it’s writing, acting, or directing. While the district is often sidelined as a source of comic relief in movies, the Shetty brothers are hoping to change that perception with their work. Their latest collaboration, “Kantara,” is already making waves in the film industry.
The Kannada movie industry has been making movies with a pan-India appeal in recent years. This has allowed it to break free from the formulaic plots that largely kept the industry confined to Karnataka. By making movies that appeal to a wider audience, the Kannada movie industry is able to reach new heights and tell stories that resonate with people from all walks of life.
The credit for Kannada films now being better received all over the country is largely due to the success of the KGF films. However, the industry has witnessed a new wave, which can be attributed to three key persons associated with the industry. These three (R) people have helped contribute to making Kannada cinema more popular and well-known throughout India.
Rishab Shetty’s work as the writer, director, and actor in Kantara is nothing short of joyous and very exuberant. His portrayal of Shiva, the film’s protagonist, is one that is sure to leave audiences entertained.
The opening sequence of the movie is incredible and really sets the tone for the rest of the film. It’s epic how the movie maintains the same level of intensity and energy throughout. This makes the movie richer, greater, and restless.
It’s no easy feat to successfully blend reality with fantasy, and even the most experienced filmmakers struggle with it most of the time. But Rishab managed to do it shockingly well. The pacing is great — you won’t feel bored for a second. Even though you know you’re watching a movie, the feeling of being transported into another world is incredibly strong. There are so many details in the movie that are beyond imagination, and as a movie buff, I was really blown away. Just to spice it up, I will mention a few things,
Kantara follows the classic template of The Chosen One, a man who appears ordinary but is destined for greatness. There are references to Vishnu’s third incarnation, Varaha Avatar, where the God became a boar. We often hear stories about kings or other powerful figures who have everything they could ever want — but somehow still don’t have inner peace. For example, there’s a tale from the mid-1970s about a king who had the love of his family and subjects, but was still plagued by anxiety and unrest. And another from 1990 about a similar figure who faced similar challenges.
The screenplay does a great job of incorporating devices that help tie the past to the present, and also show how the two are always intertwined. For example, there’s the sound of anklets heard in a forest which helps bring the past into the present.
The most important connection between the past and present is a fearsome scream that is also a metaphor for the cry of anguish of the landless. We hear this cry in the present-day Bhoota Kola performances and we get into the meat of the plot: who “owns” the forests? Or to extend this point, who owns Nature? There is a near-mythical sword passed down from the days of kings to the present day symbolizes the power struggle between those who want to protect Nature and those who want to exploit it. The sword also represents the hope that we can find a way to live in harmony with Nature. These examples are just a few of the ways that the screenplay does an excellent job of tying together the past and present.
All of the characters in this movie are unforgettable and contribute to the story in their own special way. The artwork is mesmerizing and will give you goosebumps — guaranteed.
I enjoyed this movie and would like to watch it again in its original language. It’s not that Hindi dubbed is bad, What makes this Hindi dubbed movie different is that they kept the original songs (no translation) and in some sequences they put the original language to maintain the essence of the dialogue. While this might not be everyone’s taste, it’s an interesting choice that helps maintain the film’s originality.
I was impressed that the film included Hindi subtitles for sequences- it shows that they care about their audience and want to make a good impression on pan India level.
What’s Good
- All Characters contributing to the story
- Local Locations
- Present Relevant materials to justify plot
- Story
- Cinematography
- Ace Acting
- Well paced
- The final 20 minutes
What’s not good
- I can’t think of anything negative about this movie. It was well-written, directed, and acted. There may be some gray areas but I am not able to spot it. It is a perfect film.
Author: Hawrry Bhattarai
