All Hype, Little Heart: Why Kantara – The Legend Part 1 Disappoints
I recently watched Kantara – The Legend Part 1, a movie that was released on October 30 with huge expectations and continuous full-house shows for over a week. I decided to go alone to focus on the storyline and the hype created around it. With so many people sharing their reviews online and strong opinions about Rishab Shetty’s performance, I wanted to experience it for myself. However, the movie did not meet my expectations, as I had anticipated a different perspective.
Too Much Voilence
The film contains too much violence, loud sound effects, and unnecessary action scenes. The frequent depiction of the Daiva Guliga and Panjurli rituals becomes repetitive and loses its magic. In Kantara (Part 1), those moments of divine transition were special and powerful because they happened once or twice. Here, they appear too often, making the scenes feel stretched and the audience disconnected at times.
The first half of the movie fails to capture attention, while the second half improves slightly but still feels familiar, reminiscent of KGF 1 and KGF 2, where the hero fights against oppression. Many films nowadays use dark filters and intense tones, and this movie falls into that same pattern. Unfortunately, Rishab Shetty does not come across as strong hero material in this installment, and it becomes difficult to stay engaged with his character for long.
The Role of Rukmini Vasanth
What really stood out to me was the actress, Rukmini Vasanth. She looks stunning, and her costume design is elegant and visually appealing. Though there is some skin show, it is presented gracefully and adds balance to an otherwise dark and intense film. Her presence brings freshness to scenes overloaded with gloomy ambience and loud background scores.
Comparing to KGF Vs Kantara Part 1
Comparing it to KGF, which also used dark visuals, that film succeeded because of its interesting storyline, sharp twists, and Yash’s powerful screen presence. Kantara – The Legend Part 1 does not evoke the same thrill. It reuses similar themes, sounds, and settings from the original Kantara, making it feel repetitive. The constant Panjurli Daiva chants and background voice become disturbing after a point. The story of legends and divine intervention is fine, but overall, this movie is just a one-time watch out of curiosity.
I am also concerned about parents bringing young children to this movie. The intense divine performances might scare them and create psychological impressions about Daiva and Panjurli worship, which are traditionally rooted in South Canara customs. The film seems to amplify these beliefs with a fear-based approach rather than devotion, which might not be suitable for all audiences.
Why its attracting to Men
From a psychological viewpoint, the film may particularly attract men who subconsciously see themselves as weaker or suppressed in society. They may connect deeply with the hero’s fight and power, even leading to exaggerated reactions – some viewers reportedly behaved as if the Daiva had possessed them, which could be regarded as a hallucination. This reflects the deep connection Indians often have with divine fear, rituals, and ancestral traditions.
The story, like in the first Kantara, revolves around villagers turning to divine help during trouble. But this time, the message feels confusing – it’s unclear whether Rishab Shetty wanted to assert his role as actor, director, and storyteller, or convey something deeper. If it’s about his one-man show, then yes, he has done that successfully. But as a complete film, it feels heavy and unsettling.
Honest Rating
I watched this movie purely to give an honest review, and I’d rate it 3 stars out of 5, mainly for its large-scale production and the beautiful performance of the actress. It’s an okay watch for time pass.
As a proud Kannadiga, I appreciate Rishab Shetty’s effort to take Kannada cinema to the global stage. The film’s reach and media attention are massive, far greater than many other regional movies. But personally, I found Kantara – The Legend Part 1 to be more hype than heart.
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