Kantara: Chapter 1

Kantara: Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 Kannada-language hit Kantara, was released on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. Directed and written by Rishab Shetty, who also plays the central role of a Naga Sadhu with superhuman abilities, the film is produced under the banner of Hombale Films by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda. With music and background score composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, the film was presented in a variety of immersive formats, including IMAX, 4DX, D-Box, Dolby Cinema, ICE, and EPIQ, enhancing the epic scope and ritualistic grandeur of the narrative.

Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the story delves into the origins of the Bhuta Kola tradition, an ancient spirit worship ritual central to the region’s culture. The film traces the ancestral conflicts and mythological lore introduced in the 2022 original, providing audiences with a deeper understanding of the spiritual and cultural forces that shape the characters’ world. Shetty’s Naga Sadhu stands at the crossroads of mortal struggle and divine power, navigating the tension between man, nature, and unseen mystical forces. Through his journey, the film explores the intricate relationship between community, faith, and the environment, highlighting themes of devotion, resistance, and the timeless human quest for balance.