Produced by Hombale Films, the assembly house best proverbial for the KGF franchise, Kantara, leading Rishabh Shetty, Kishore and Achyuth Kumar, may be a supernatural action thriller. Written and directed by Rishabh Shetty, the show pits the greed of man against nature in coastal Karnataka.
Kantara might have all over up as another addition to the long list of action thrillers from the South, however what sets it apart is that the weaving of mythology into the plot line and exploring the fault lines at intervals society arising out of caste hierarchies.
The story began in 1847 once the king of a village in coastal Karnataka given a large parcel of land to villagers in exchange of Associate in Nursing idol of the local deity, Panjuri, for lasting happiness and peace. throughout the exchange, however, he was warned by the spirits of the forest that if the king ever asked for this land back, the gods wouldn’t forgive him.
move 1970, a descendant of the king needs to require the land back. throughout an annual ritual of Bhoot Kola(a local worship), the descendant meets an area dancer possessed by the supernatural being and asks him for the land. angry by his insolence, the deity who entered the dancer’s body disappears into the forest. when some days, the descendant dies mysteriously.
It’s 1990 and another descendant of the king, the native property owner Devendra Suttur (played by Achyuth Kumar), has his eyes thereon land. because the keeper of the village, Shiva (played by Rishabh Shetty), the winner of the buffalo-running game Kambala, has the task of saving the land. For it absolutely was his father who had disappeared within the forest as a deity. His mother is troubled that Shiva can meet his father’s fate.
a replacement forest officer, Muralidhar (played by Kishore), enters the scene who needs to curb felling of trees in the region. This makes him unpopular among the villagers. Shiva’ girlfriend, Leela (played by Saptami Gowda), may be a forest guard Associate in Nursingd is a component of Muralidhar’ team.
Kantara scores with its action sequences, beginning with an exhilarating Kambala race. Rishabh shines in the slow-mo bull race sequence. Blending classical dance forms with blood-spilling action, stunt creator Vikram additional additionally helps build the climax, keeping one on the sting of the seat. Arvind Kashyap’s picture taking effectively captures it all.
loads of screen time is dedicated to the performance of the Bhoot Kola, Associate in Nursing annual ritual worship of the deity. The background score by Ajaneesh Loknath heightens the myths and legends of the land.
The film explores the deep-seated caste form of government in southern Karnataka. The higher caste property owner Devendra appropriates the land of unsuspecting tribals, depriving them of their rights. He doesn’t enable locals to line foot in his home. once Shiva breaches that rule, Devendra purifies his residence. Kantara additionally tries to form the purpose that social group traditions ought to thrive and prosper.
Rishabh Shetty as Shiva puts during a unforgettable performance because the man who would head to any lengths to safeguard his village. he’s a maverick, who would rather pay his time lazing around with friends, gratification in gluttony. however if somebody dares raise a finger at his folks, there’s no stopping his remorseless rage.
Kishore as Muralidhar, on the opposite finish of the spectrum, is Associate in Nursing upright government officer, committed to his duty. Kishore plays this give poise. Achyuth Kumar because the casteist and greedy property owner is crafty and manipulative.