'Kantara Chapter 1' X review: Fans hail Rishab Shetty’s folklore fury, call it 'pure cinema'

Hyderabad: ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ has finally hit the big screens—and X (formerly Twitter) is already flooded with glowing reactions.

Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited prequel has managed to live up to the massive hype, with fans unanimously hailing it as a soul-stirring cinematic experience.

Goosebumps & an unforgettable climax

One thing that stands out across reactions is the film’s breathtaking finale. A user wrote, “#KantaraChapter1Review: What an experience! @shetty_rishab once again proves he’s a master storyteller… That climax? Unforgettable. Visually surreal, emotionally shattering. Goosebumps guaranteed.”

Another fan echoed the sentiment, saying, “Those final 10 minutes of climax redefine what cinema can do—visually breathtaking, emotionally overwhelming. A must-watch movie.”

More positives:

An eager fan’s post read, "Kantara Chapter 1 is cinema at its finest..every element crafted to perfection. @shetty_rishab truly knows exactly what people come to theatres for – an experience. Absolute banger..Don’t think twice just book your f**ing tickets and watch it #kantarachapter1review (sic)."

Urging others to hit the theatres and make the film a huge hit, another user wrote: "Kantara Chapter 1 Go to theaters and watch Spectacular and breathtaking. Worth travelling 3 hours to watch First day, First show Listening to kannada voices in the theater, was music to the ears (sic)."

The negatives:

Not all reactions have been unreservedly positive. Some early viewers pointed out that, while the first half builds the world convincingly, it occasionally drags with slower moments. Yet, these minor pacing concerns seem overshadowed by a gripping second half and a climax that delivers with full force. 

About the film:

Set during the era of the Kadamba dynasty, the film delves into the origins of Kaadubettu Shiva’s lineage. Blending myth, heritage, and survival in the heart of an untamed wilderness, it resurrects forgotten legends while seamlessly connecting to the world first unveiled in the earlier chapter.

A soulful journey on the big screen

Viewers are praising Shetty’s vision, calling the prequel “a soul-stirring journey into folklore, faith & human emotions” and “pure cinema from the soul of India.”

One X user wrote, “Especially 2nd Half Peak Madness of @shetty_rishab will be on the next level B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R Peak cinematic experience.”

Record-breaking advance sales

The excitement isn’t just online—it’s reflecting at the box office too. According to Money Control, the film has clocked in ₹5.7 crore in pre-sales, with 1.7 lakh tickets sold on the first day of bookings, already surpassing the opening figures of the first Kantara.

Fans believe it’s only the beginning, with bold predictions like: “#KantaraChapter1 = Pure Fire! Standing ovation by the audience! Next stop: 1000cr club.”

The overall verdict

With stunning visuals, a powerhouse climax, and Rishab Shetty’s gripping storytelling, Kantara Chapter 1 is winning both hearts and numbers. As rave reviews continue to pour in, the film looks set to script box office history.

‘Kantara 2’ trends on Google

‘Kantara Chapter 1’ is also being referred to as Kantara 2 by several people. It is currently trending #3 on Google Trends. The film is actually a prequel to 2022's National Award-winning hit, ‘Kantara’.