After the box office success of Kantara: Chapter 1 on October 2, 2025, Rishab Shetty, the lead actor-director of the film, and Malayalam veteran Jayaram were spotted together at a tender moment in New Delhi recently. Jayaram posted a sweet photo on social media in which Rishab is kissing him on the cheek with affection, reflecting the deep camaraderie the two shared working on the grand film.
A prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, this chapter delves deeper into mythological origins, centuries ahead of the original. Directed by Rishab Shetty, the movie is in the backdrop of the ancient Kadamba dynasty reign and deals with power, godliness, and man’s relationship with nature.
Jayaram has the important role of the King of Bangra—a figure with madness and ambition, determined to conquer whatever lies before him. His madness is triggered when he comes across a sacred pouch of spices. But greed gets the better of him, and he ventures into a sacred forest, where the protecting spirits Panjurli and Guliga—also the ganas of Eeshwara—arise and slay him.
Years later, his son Rajashekara emerges as a just and humane king. The tale changes course mystically when a mysterious boy named Berme is discovered in a sacred well deep in the Kantara tribe’s forest. With the passage of generations, Rajashekara’s grandson, now king, follows in his grandfather’s footsteps towards madness, leading the way for a fierce battle between him and Berme for the kingdom of the Kantara tribe.
Mixing strong mythology, gripping action, and spiritual themes, Kantara: Chapter 1 explores the age-old battle between man, nature, and god.
Starring an excellent ensemble cast consisting of Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Pramod Shetty, Naveen D. Padil, Rakesh Poojari, and Prakash Thuminad in major roles.
