Kantara is originally a Kannada action thriller film which is written and directed by Rishab Shetty. The movie has Rishab Shetty, Kishore, Achuth Kumar, Sapthami Gowda, Manasi Sudhir, Pramod Shetty, Vinay Biddappa in the main lead. The movie is available on Amazon Prime in four languages, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. It is critically acclaimed for its unique concept and thrilling climax. It got appreciation for its cinematography, visuals and well-choreographed action scenes all over India. The representation of the folk tale and traditional dance form on screen is loved by the critics and audience as well. Apart from myth, culture, folk, beliefs, the movie also focusses on social issues like feudal system, casteism, conflicts of forest officers and villagers, looting of forest wealth and encroachment of forest etc. The movie was shot in Keradi village, Udupi district which is in the coastal region of Karnataka, and it happens to be the native place of Rishab Shetty. The story is fictional, but it is inspired by the real stories and culture of that village. Kantara refers to a mystical forest.
Rishab Shetty plays the main lead (Shiva) in this movie. He is a Kambala (buffalo race) champion. His family belonged to the family of Panjurli Daiva/Bhoota. A Daiva is a local deity who is worshipped as Demigod by the locals of the village. The people of this village believe that Demigods are their guardians and these ‘Daivas’ (Demigods) protect the local area and people.
The story starts in 18th century, in Kantara. A King approaches the Panjurli Daiva/Bhoota asking for peace and happiness. The DemiGod asks the king to give land from his property to the tribals of that village in return. The demigod warns the king that his descendants should not ask for the lands back. If they do so they would face disastrous consequences. Everything goes well but years later, in 1970 the king’s descendant develops greed, and he claims the land during Bhoota kola (divine dance of coastal Kannada). At that time Shiva’s father is shown performing the Bhoota Kola. The successor demands his land, but he doesn’t get his land. He dies mysteriously. Same night, Shiva had seen his father running to jungle doing Bhoota Kola and vanishing from there. He gets horrifying visions of this memory regularly. That is the reason he refuses to perform Bhoota Kola in spite of being the successor. Shiva’s father used to perform this ritual and after his death his brother continued the legacy.
In 1990, A DRFO officer named Murali comes and tries to acquire village land for forest conservation. He also objects the Kola festival. Shiva is at loggerheads with the officer and wants to protect the villagers. He currently works under Sahib (Landlord, Achyut Kumar) who also happens to be the successor of the king. Sahib wants to acquire his ancestral property from the villagers. Murali and Shiva become the scapegoats of Sahib’s plan and go against each other. But in the end Shiva saves his village with the help of Murali. In the climax scene, Shiva is shown performing Bhoota Kola, and he unites all the villagers and Murali, and he also disappears in the forest like his father. In the first half Shiva is shown doing all the wrong things and indulging in illegal acts but later he stands as protector of the village like Daiva.
The film is full of thrilling moments. The climax scene will give goosebumps and will leave you speechless. Rishab Shetty is exceptionally well and full of intensity in the climax scene. His scenes in the last 15 minutes, especially his screams are unforgettable. The visuals of Bhoota kala are mesmerizing. Overall, a wonderful movie!