Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Review: Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited film Kantara Chapter 1 is receiving widespread praise from critics for its storytelling, visuals and performances.Popular movie critic Taran Adarsh shared his thoughts on X, giving the Hindi version a rating of four-and-a-half stars. He called the film “OUTSTANDING” and lauded Shetty for creating “a stunning spectacle” that blends mythology, folklore, and powerful storytelling. Adarsh noted that the narrative is layered, the emotions run deep, and the film establishes a strong spiritual connection with viewers.He also highlighted the action sequences before and after the interval as 'simply outstanding,' and described the penultimate moments as “electrifying and spellbinding,” leaving a lasting impact long after the credits roll.On the performances, Adarsh wrote that Rishab Shetty 'lives, breathes, and owns the character.' He praised Rukmini Vasanth’s performance as excellent, Gulshan Devaiah’s portrayal of the antagonist as impactful, and Jayaram’s performance as first-rate.The critic also appreciated the technical aspects, calling Ajaneesh Loknath’s background score “one of the film’s biggest pillars” and Arvind Kashyap’s cinematography 'exceptional' for capturing both the grandeur of the landscapes and subtle emotional nuances. He gave special mention to the film’s VFX and action sequences.Another critic, Ramesh Bala, tweeted that Kantara Chapter 1 is a 'Divine Cinema, Goosebump Experience,' giving it four out of five stars. He praised Shetty for owning every frame, called the transformation and climax “electrifying,” and described Rukmini Vasanth as a 'surprise package.' Bala also noted that Ajaneesh Loknath’s background music is “the soul of Kantara,” calling the film “a pure divine ride.”With critics applauding its performances, music, visuals, and storytelling, Kantara Chapter 1 is shaping up to be one of the finest films of 2025.Kantara 2022Back in 2022, the original Kantara surprised trade analysts by emerging as one of the biggest cultural milestones in Kannada cinema. Directed and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the film grossed over Rs 310 crore in India, with more than Rs 80 crore coming from its Hindi version alone, despite a delayed release. According to a report by TOI, the unprecedented trend of week-on-week growth had cemented its cult status among audiences across regions.Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 has now opened with solid figures in North America and encouraging numbers in India. Domestic advance bookings had already crossed almost Rs 25 crore ahead of release, with trade experts predicting an opening day collection of at least Rs 40 crore, TOI reported.With positive reviews pouring in and strong advance sales both in India and overseas, Rishab Shetty’s latest outing seems well on its way to becoming another box office triumph.
Kantara Chapter 1 Movie Review: Rishab Shetty’s divine action-drama wins critic's praise
