Kantara (2022), stays with you

After hearing the praise for this film over the last two years, I finally watched Kantara (2022) this week. The mythological fiction drew me in almost immediately. At its core, this is a familiar story of the oppressed versus those in power. What lifts it above the ordinary is the phenomenal acting and tightly held screenplay by Rishab Shetty. This is a must-watch film, and Mangoidiots is happy to rate it Delicious.

The story begins centuries ago in a remote forest region of Karnataka. A king is mesmerised by a stone worshipped as a god by the tribal community. In return for the God-stone, he donates the land to them. As generations pass, the descendants of the king attempt to reclaim this land by aligning with the current ruling class and the police. As expected, one man stands in their way. Whether he succeeds forms the rest of the story.

The casting is spot on across the board. Rishab Shetty as Shiva completely disappears into the character. Kishore as Murali, the forest officer, brings a quiet intensity that suits the role well. Achyuth Kumar as Devendra Suttooru, the landlord, is suitably menacing without being over the top. Sapthami Gowda as Leela, Shiva’s wife, fits the role naturally. The film shines in its attention to detail, especially in visuals, costumes, and sound design. Arvind S. Kashyap’s cinematography and B. Ajaneesh Loknath’s music add immense strength to the director’s vision. Even days later, Varaha Roopam, sung by Sai Vignesh, keeps playing in my head. There is something truly divine about that voice and its feel.

The story of oppression itself could have been written with more depth. However, the screenplay smartly blends fiction with familiar myths and rituals in the right measure. That balance creates the magic we see on screen and makes Kantara a cinematic experience that stays with you.