Highly Talented writer, director, and lead actor Rishab Shetty joined hands with KGF producers for the movie "Kantara". The movie is already a blockbuster success in Kannada and got dubbed into other major languages, which got released yesterday. Let's see how the movie is.
STORY:
The movie is all about a section of remote area people who perform a Folkfore called Kollam. In 1847 a king who has everything except peace will go on a self-discovery journey. He finds a stone that is considered God for that area people. He will offer his lands in exchange for that stone which is considered as God. But the next generations of the King become greedy and try to grab the lands back. Shiva (Rishab) is the son of one such artist whose father disappeared after the performance. How Shiva stands by his people and saves their lands forms the rest of the story.
ARTIST'S PERFORMANCES:
Actress Sapthami Gowda is superb, her role has major importance and is well connected to the story. Kishore as forest officer emoted his character well. Achyuth Kumar's character has multiple shades and he excelled in them. There are many other characters who performed extremely well and gave life to the movie.
Coming to the hero Rishab Shetty... he should be applauded for his great act in his role. He carried the film on his shoulders and gave an award-winning performance in the movie, especially in the climax which has goosebumps and an adrenaline rush to the audience.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS:
Undoubtedly this movie has high standards of technical specifications. Kantara is another successful outing from Hombale productions which previously delivered the blockbuster KGF series. Cinematographer Arvind has captured excellent visuals of the forest area and Bhoot Kala Folkfore sequences. The music by Ajaneesh Lokanath is superb, and his songs are beautiful and well-captured on screen. The BGM stands as a highlight which can be considered the backbone of the film.
National award winner Vikram has choreographed the Bhoot Kala dance sequences which are greatly enacted by Rishab Shetty. The art direction department has to be appreciated for bringing out realistic raw sets. Coming to Rishab, it's his show all the way. He wrote a good story that is rooted in the exploitation of the poor by the rich. He experimented by showing an art movie concept in a commercial template which worked out well for the film. The way he showcased the lives of the people of tribals is heart-touching. This movie is one of his best works.
THUMPS UP MERITS:
Rich vs poor concept
Bhoot Kala sequences
BGM and songs
Climax
LET DOWN DRAWBACKS:
Predictable narration in the second half
Few dull moments here and there
Lengthy runtime
CONCLUSION:
Kantara is already a proven hit that emerged as highest grossing Kannada film. The movie started off well with engaging story narration. The hero's characterization is raw and similar to many films earlier. The movie is well narrated until the interval. Once the second half started then one can easily predict what will be happening in the next proceedings. But the treatment and screenplay are engaging which makes you sit till the end. The last 30 minutes especially the climax is well written and greatly enacted by the cast which sends the audience out of the theatres with the satisfaction of watching a good movie. If you like Raw and rustic rural drama narrated in a commercial format then you can go ahead watching this Kantara movie on the weekend.