Kantara Review – Film of the Year or Just Another Overhyped South Indian Film?

Kantara is a Kannada language film that came out last month. It is directed by Rishabh Shetty who also the male lead of the film. The screenplay of the film is from Rishabh Shetty as well. The film’s premise surrounds, “A bunch of villagers who hunt for living are made to vacate their present living place due to unforeseen notice. How they save themselves from the situation by finding the real culprit forms the crux of the story.” Since its release the film has gotten great reviews. To the point where a number reputed websites have called it the best Indian film of all time. Now, I’m not the one who watches a lot of content from southern India. If a regional film is able to pierce into my circle then it means that it has a become sensation for a non-language speaking belt as well.

The few films that have done that are Bahubali, The Great Indian Kitchen, Robot, Vikram, Jallikattu and Ratchasan. Kantara was one of these films. Everyone I talked to only said good things about the film so I wanted to experience the film myself on the big screen. After watching the film I definitely have some thoughts that I’d like to share.

Kantara Review – How Important is a Screenplay?

Rating – ★★1/2

Let me say this right off the bat. Kantara is extremely original when it comes to the type of films India or especially Bollywood is making right now. Now I’m aware that Kantara doesn’t belong to Bollywood but for someone who has been exposed to Bollywood it is a relief to see something this original. The movie started out with a backstory where they explain to us why we should care about about this ritual. However, it has been handled well and not like Black Adam where everything feels like an exposition dump.

However, once the awe-striking backstory ends we’re introduced to the current timeline that is 1990. Where our lead character- Shiva exists. I like how they set up the world and the dynamics between the villagers. The cinematography of the film has been done really well. The frames suit the tone and pitch of the film which changes constantly. The music of the film as well is extremely memorable. It is loud, terrifying and at times very Indian. Now this might be my perception of the film but I didn’t peg this one to be a massy film.

I thought it leaned towards the artsy side. After watching the film, I don’t think that was the case. The film definitely had a massy pitch or at least its action sequences did. Which if I’m being honest did feel over the top at times as otherwise the story was pretty much grounded in reality. I know there is a fantasy element in the film but that doesn’t change the nature of the fight sequences as it was very much human to human rather one some other entity. Rishabh Shetty’s character is Shiva and he is well you usual massy hero who is a bad boy, loafer and every bad thing except he is good at heart. He is morally always correct in the context of the film but his performance is phenomenal.

Talking about the generic tropes that the film has another would be the mother character that doesn’t have any other layers than the nagging woman of the household. Then there are the hero’s friends who are simply there to explore his character but they’ve all been assigned quirks that make them distinctive but not necessarily full grown characters. One is a bigmouth while the other is Casanova despite being an old man. Other then this coming to the most generic part of the film, the love story.

It has no purpose in the plot. It is simply there to tick a box and honestly it results in some of the most problematic scenes in the film. Where he stalks around her like predator, pinches her waist without her consent and then physically assaults her as well. The first two things are played out as jokes, which is very common. The other is not a joke but it is never overtly said that it is wrong. I don’t whether it is done because the film is set in the 90s where such things common. Wow, that is a really sad statement.

Apart from this we’re presented with a few villains that are not that interesting and simply evil. There is a “twist” of sorts but the way it has been handled is quiet illogical and once again generic. Now coming to the good parts, I love the world of the film, the entire culture that they follow is really intriguing but where the film faulters in one of the most fundamental areas, that is the screenplay. It is extremely sluggish. With no disrespect to Rishabh Shetty if he had taken a writer on board to tell this story on screen then it would’ve resulted in a much tighter film that would’ve wrapped up in two hours and would’ve been much more impactful.

The film is technically brilliant except for the very obvious VFX shots at times. Kantara may be the best Indian film of the year but if you look at the quality of the films that we’ve gotten this year then that isn’t a compliment. That being said, it is definitely the most “Indian” film of the year. The rituals that they’ve shown remind me of the rural India that we blissfully ignore. This is another positive of the film. They don’t stereotype villages. They portray them in a positive light. Otherwise, we every time we see villagers they’re monsters and extremists.

Verdict

Kantara was at its best at the start and the end. Whenever it involved the Kola practice I was hooked because just so mystical and a very Indian thing. I believe you must definitely check out Kantara in theatres but don’t expect a masterpiece as people are hyping it up. I think the real downfall of the film is because of the hype people have created, as the film simply doesn’t live up to that. For me Kantara was 2.5 out 5 stars. I’m sorry if I hurt anybody’s emotions but I simply said the truth, I’m saying what the film made me feel.

I know many people may be offended but it had to be said.  It was an interesting watch but I don’t think so this is the best film that southern India has ever produced. There are much more superior films available. If you want experience something different, then go our and submerge yourself in the world of Kantara.

Kantara is playing in theatres near you.

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Sameer Talawdekar

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A student of cinema with a keen eye and an acquired taste. Blunt and critical while reviewing, if Sameer says a film is good, it’s basically a guarantee that it is. He may not like what you do, but that’s what makes him a quality fit for any cinema publication. He craves excellence and perfection and that’s why you can blindly trust his word!

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