Kantara (transl. Mysterious forest, also known as Kantara: A Legend) is a 2022 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films. The film stars Rishab Shetty in a dual roles as Kaadubettu Shiva and Annappa, along with Sapthami Gowda, Kishore, and Achyuth Kumar.
Blending elements of coastal Karnataka's folklore of the Tulu people, spirit possession rituals, and divine belief systems, the story centres around Bhuta Kola, a traditional form of worship practiced in the region. It follows a Kambala champion who clashes with an upright forest officer, leading to a larger conflict involving sacred land, ancestral legacy, and the balance between nature and man-made law.
Set and filmed in Keradi in coastal Karnataka, principal photography began in August 2021. The cinematography was handled by Arvind S. Kashyap, with music composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. The action sequences were choreographed by Vikram More, and the production design handled by debutant Dharani Gange Putra.
The film was released on 30 September 2022 to critical acclaim, with praise for its cast's performance (particularly of Shetty and Kishore), direction, background score, and portrayal of native mythology and traditions. It became one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of all time. A prequel, titled Kantara: Chapter 1, was released on 2 October 2025.
The film was featured at the 54th International Film Festival of India in the Indian Panorama section, where it won the Silver Peacock - Special Jury Award. At the 70th National Film Awards, Rishab Shetty won the Best Actor Award and the film received the Best Popular Film Award.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
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