KANTARA (“Mystical Forest”) is a Kannada action thriller film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur, under Hombale Films.

Set in coastal Karnataka, Kundapura to specific, KANTARA begins beguilingly with an intelligent mix of history, tradition and culture. The film transports the viewer into a period set 30 years back and unfurls an array of conflicts, emotions and romance laced with conversational humour that instantly appeals. As the film progresses, though on predictable lines, the screenplay keeps the viewer on the edge due to some fantastic performances as the visual brilliance helps overlook the digressions and the slipups. While the first half has its moments despite the commercial slew, the second half digs deep setting up for a grand spectacle towards the end, and true to the buildup, what an invigorating, exciting climax KANTARA delivers. It’s a hypnotizing last ten minutes that transcends into a fitting finale embedded with a magnificent symbolic gesture that shall remain in the minds of moviegoers for a long time.

Rishab Shetty as an actor is growing by leaps and bounds. His performance in the climax will be gloriously remembered. Kishore delivers a majestic performance. Achyutha Kumar is good. The supporting cast with RS keeps you in splits. Sapthami Gowda, though the heroine, has a very timid role and does well.

Kannada Film Industry continues to overawe movie makers with the kind of results that they produce in modest budgets. KANTARA is technically brilliant. Arvind S Kashyap’s cinematography is exceptional. Ajaneesh Loknath’s is easily one of the top three music directors when it comes to background score. The background score is scintillating with some awesome folk songs that blend with the script so well. Dialogues are rustic and fantastic. Direction by Rishab Shetty scores big.

KANTARA is simply put a psychedelic experience. .

KANTARA – CONCERT !!

3.5/5

B.U.Shreesha