In an exciting new chapter for fans of Kantara, the blockbuster film is now being transformed into a graphic novel and digital comic series. Hombale Films, Rishab Shetty, and India’s leading webtoon platform Toonsutra are joining hands for this. 

The cultural phenomenon that captured hearts across India and beyond is now available for free on the Toonsutra app and website, giving everyone a chance to revisit the powerful story in a whole new visual format.

"Kantara has always been more than cinema for us—it is a cultural movement born from the soil of Karnataka," said Vijay Kiragandur, Founder, Hombale Films. “At Hombale, we have believed in telling stories that not only entertain but also preserve our heritage and inspire pride in our traditions. Partnering with Toonsutra allows us to take Kantara beyond the screen, giving fans across India and the world a chance to relive its power in a new form.”

Director and star Rishab Shetty shared his excitement, calling the illustrated version a powerful way to relive the emotions that made Kantara special.

"Kantara is a story that belongs to our soil, our people, and our traditions. When we first brought it to the screen, it became more than a film—it became an emotion for millions. To see the same story take life through illustration is powerful, because every reader can once again feel the devotion, the rage, the faith, and the divinity that made Kantara what it is.”

Set in the coastal lands of Karnataka, Kantara follows the story of Shiva, a man torn between rebellion and tradition, ultimately becoming the land’s protector. The comic recreates the sacred village rituals, Kambala races, and intense spiritual moments that defined the film’s success.

Toonsutra’s Sharad Devarajan and Vishal Anand called the project a celebration of India’s storytelling roots, combining tradition with modern formats to reach wider audiences.

"What Rishab and Hombale have created represents something profound in Indian storytelling – Kantara is a film that touched the core of our culture and reminded us of the power that exists when man, nature, and divinity converge," said Sharad Devarajan, Co-Founder & Chairman of Toonsutra. "Partnering with Hombale Films and Rishab Shetty to bring Kantara into its first comic is not just an extension of the film, but a way for millions of fans to experience the epic world in a new way."

Vishal Anand, Co-Founder & CEO of Toonsutra, added: “Kantara is a story that resonates with timeless themes of devotion, sacrifice, and the eternal bond between man, nature, and divinity. At Toonsutra, our mission has always been to take the most powerful stories of our culture and reimagine them for the next generation of fans. Bringing Kantara into comics allows us to expand its universe, while honouring the traditions that inspired it.”

The first chapters are available now for free on the Toonsutra app (Android and iOS) and on toonsutra.com.

With PTI inputs