South Indian cinema is no longer confined to regional boundaries, but has carved a unique place in the entire country and on the international stage. The biggest proof of this is Rishav Shetty’s ‘Kantara’, released in 2022, which not only became a box office success, but also won the hearts of the audience with its unique storytelling style and spiritual atmosphere. Now, to reach the source of that epic, Kantara Chapter 1, which is a prequel to the original film, is coming to the audience.
The villagers believe that whenever evil forces come to devour humanity, a divine messenger descends to save the distressed. The trailer clearly shows that Rishab Shetty’s character is the embodiment of that messenger, who is the only savior for the oppressed people.
This idea is not just a fantasy, but is deeply rooted in the long-standing culture and traditions of coastal Karnataka. In particular, the Bhoot Kola tradition, which highlights the spiritual connection between humans and the forest forces, is one of the pillars of the film’s story.
The film has been made on a pan-India scale to reach out to audiences not just in Karnataka but across India. The film is being released simultaneously in various languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam.
Its trailer was unveiled by stars from various industries in India – Hrithik Roshan (Hindi), Prithviraj Sukumaran (Malayalam), Siva Karthikeyan (Tamil) and Prabhas (Telugu). The trailer launch on such a grand scale itself proves how high the expectations of the audience and the industry are for this film.
On Monday, Hombal Films released the much-awaited trailer of the film on their official channel. The nearly three-minute video has thrilled the audience with a mix of mystery, fear, emotion and heroism from the beginning.
Rishab Shetty is seen in the film as a fearless warrior who fights to save the forest dwellers from a tyrannical and cruel ruler. Standing against the ruthlessness of the ruler, played by Gulshan Devaiah, Sethi’s character becomes a symbol of hope for the rural people.
Rishav Shetty has once again written and directed this prequel, in which he also plays the lead role. Alongside him are Rukmini Vasant and Jishu Sengupta, whose characters have already created curiosity.
The music is by B. Ajneesh Loknath, who, like the first installment, is going to create a perfect blend of visuals and emotions with music.
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”Kantara” gave the audience not just a movie, but also a picture of folklore, spirituality and the relationship between humans and nature. The prequel ”Kantara: Chapter 1” returns to that original formula – how forest culture, faith and heroism are intertwined.
Every frame of the trailer shows epic visuals, blood-curdling action, and the presence of spiritual power. The audience is therefore assuming that this movie will also make a special place in the history of Indian cinema like before.
This movie will be released in theaters on October 2, 2025 – this day ”Kantara Chapter 1”. The release of the movie on a special day like Gandhi Jayanti has undoubtedly become more significant.
Kantara Chapter 1 is not just a movie, but an epic narrative, where heroism, tradition, culture and spiritual faith come together.
Hi readers. I’m Piyali Batabyal, a passionate blogger who loves to share her thoughts, ideas, and experiences across a variety of topics—from lifestyle and beauty to personal growth and creativity. With a curious mind and a love for words.
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