 Hindi Movie Review){kind=link}
‘Kantara’ means mysterious forest. This is a Kannada film written and directed by Rishabh Shetty. He is also the lead actor of this film. The producer of ‘Kantara’ is Vijay Kirgandoor, of Hombale Films. This is the same Hombale films that made KGF.
Story
There is a village: Kundapura. Which is the seaside area of Karnataka. Centuries ago, the king of that place had given a place to the tribal people there. So that he can build his house and temple there. In return, their clan gods used to protect the king. That total deity is ‘Panjurli’. He protects the people, village and forest of Kundapur. It is a folk tale, or as it is written in the tagline of the film, Dant Katha. It has been going on like this for years. But now the king’s but the grandson’s but the grandson wants that place back. Because it is a very valuable land. Along with this, the people of the village take wood, herbs etc. from the forest and also hunt. This too has been going on for years. Now a forest officer arrives, who tells the people of the village that they cannot take over the forest land. Can’t hunt. This leads to a fierce fight between them.
The film begins with Shiva (Rishabh Shetty), whose father practices ‘Bhuta Kola’. No one can do this. Only a select few can do it. In this custom, man wears divine garb. Well does clothes, jewelery and make-up. Then performs dancing and other arts for the deity. Due to this method, when the soul of the deity comes in that person, no one can say. Shiva does not like all this and he stays away from all this. He is also a Kambala player. There is a race of Kambala buffaloes, which takes place every year and its hero takes part in it with great enthusiasm.
How does the story of all this progress? How do they settle their disputes? How does he cope with what Shiva has been running away from all his life, that is the story ahead.
Saptami Gowda, who plays Leela, is in the role of Shiva’s love interest. There are two or three such scenes, where Shiva does obscene acts with her. Like watching him hide while taking a bath etc. Which is wrong, but the purpose of these scenes is to show you what a petty man Shiva is. He keeps getting scolded by his mother all the time. But when the need arises, he stands by his people. Untouchability has also been shown in the film. Kishore is in the role of Forest Officer, who has done a great job.
The cinematographer of Kantara is Arvind Kashyap. He has captured the jungle scenes very well. Music is given by Ajneesh Loknath. Which is a great mix of folk and rock. The action sequences of the film are very graceful and have been choreographed by Vikram Mor, who has won the National Award twice.
The beauty of this film is its story telling. In the era of remakes and adaptations, we get to see a story that is very local and deeply connected to the people. Very rich culture and heritage is depicted. There are very colorful close-ups and these make for an amazing visual experience. There are many such scenes, in which goosebumps stand. Action is also so right that don’t ask! Sometimes in the mud, sometimes on the roof, sometimes in the rain! And the climax is the climax in the true sense. You see that Rishabh Shetty has given his whole life.
This film is running in theaters with subtitles and will be released in Hindi soon. Have a look
I came to see today I liked it very much🤣