When Kantara released in 2022, it was an incredible achievement as it became a sleeper hit capturing the imagination of viewers across the country and catapulting Kannada cinema to exceptional heights. While it is always a challenge to make such a successful movie, creating a sequel to such a blockbuster is indeed a tough act to follow since it would have to satisfy enormous expectations. Several sequels which arrived with more funding, mega star cast along with mega marketing campaigns based on the success of the original end up sinking like Titanic as they hit the iceberg of heightened expectations of an audience who loved the original. They fail to recreate the magic mainly because they are essentially cash-grab exercises which lack the spark of the original and have very little to offer as entertainment except nostalgia.
However, despite such steep odds stacked against him, Rishabh Shetty who has written, directed and leads this movie has largely succeeded in this mission impossible. His sequel, which is actually a prequel is set several centuries ago in the age when Kadambas ruled over Karnataka and Tulunadu, dwells deep into the origins of the mythology of mystic spirits of Panjuruli, Guliga and many more that were introduced in Kantara.
This is a ambitious and audacious venture in terms of the sheer scale on which it is mounted, the level of spectacle in its action set pieces, the number of themes that are densely packed into its engaging storyline including deities from the folklore, class struggles, slavery, economic exploitation of the tribes, power struggles, betrayals and even some twisted black magic. It is an eclectic mix of action, emotion, spirituality and bits of comedy which is immensely engrossing despite its runtime of nearly three hours.
The technical team - especially, production and sound design, VFX, action choreography, cinematography and background score - are top notch in crafting a rich visuals spectacle that makes for spectacular big screen experience and the stellar cast that includes Rukmani Vasanth, Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, Prakash Thuminad have delivered in aces. Rishabh Shetty deserves rich laurels for his vision, courage, conviction and herculean multitasking efforts for delivering such an extraordinary entertainer that is superlative in so many aspects.
A MUST WATCH ! (preferably on a BIG screen)
RATING - 4/5
