Why Kantara is turning to be the next big thing in Indian cinema

The movie Kantara is the latest talk of the town. The Kannada-language action thriller film has become a sensation due to 4 main reasons: a strong product, an epic climax, storytelling that shows people's real life struggles and popularity among the regional population that is catching up with the rest of the nation through word-of-mouth publicity. 

1. A strong product for movie watchers: Kantara is a magical weave of traditions and masala entertainment. In those 2.5 hours, it satisfies every point in a moviegoer's checklist. As a cinema lover, you feel satisfied in those 2.5 hours. Here's why:

• Kantara's simple story hooks you instantly because of its reality and authenticity. There is action, romance, and a real portrayal of a culture that has never been shown in this scale before. Don't miss the notorious double-meaning jokes that get you chuckling. 
• The movie has brilliant actors and even though the movie is set in a village, the characters are relatable. Be it the mother who keeps slapping her heroic son or Shiva's horny friend. I loved how the characters are referenced to mythology- The lead actors are Shiva and Leila who often meet at a secret point called Kailash, which is a tall tree house. Shiva's best buddy is Bulla who is often referenced as a Bull (remember Nandi?) 
• Brilliant visuals make a lasting impact and are sure to loop in your head after you watch the movie
• There is a mystical power which we all feel but cannot place our fingers on. The movie shows how we all believe that there is a world out there that our mind cannot comprehend 
• Since the fictional story is related to real life Tulunadu folklore, this makes the movie a legend for generations.  

Kantara merges centuries-old traditional folklore with electrifying performances and brings out the classic conflict between nature and humans. Top it off with an epic climax that fantastically shows how Bhoota Kolas are performed (specifically chosen men in select families channel the energy of their village deities)  

2. An astounding 20-minute climax gives you goosebumps:  The last 20 minutes are actually leaving watchers spellbound and is one of the main reasons why the wide word-of-mouth publicity is working for Kantara. If you have never watched a Bhoota Kola in real life (or even if you have), the climax makes you go in awe of what you witness.

The abundant energy of Lord Guliga Daiva, the quick moves, the contrasting visuals, the unexpected action sequences that are synced in with the traditional moves, and the epic Kola music that comprises of saxophones, shehnais, and drums create that larger-than-life atmosphere that will remain with you for days. (Beware: The climax scene can get young kids to strangle their mum's hand's quite tightly) 

3. Shows people's real-life struggles (*Spoiler alert*): The movie brings out real-life struggles and lessons. The lead Leila has to struggle between working for the police and siding with the love of her life. She has to try to stop her lover's businesses that her boss considers illegal, but of which her love is quite proud.  

The movie beautifully shows the transition of the lead Shiva, whose father disappeared during the Bhoot Kola tradition. Shiva starts off as a young shikari, who has no interest in continuing his family's tradition. He hunts wild boars, drinks liquor on religious days, and indulges with his friends to the despise of his family. 

But once he understands the psychic dreams and nightmares (that he receives after something unfortunate occurs), his father's words ring in his ears, and his intuition kicks in, Shiva transforms to be the ultimate divine channel. 

The classic conflicts between nature and human greed make it an interesting watch from the beginning to the end.   

3. Highest IMDB-rated Indian movie: The Kannada movie was released in Karnataka on September 30, while the Hindi and Telegu-dubbed versions were released on October 14 and 15, 2022, respectively. Kantara has an IMDB rating of 9.4 which makes Kantara the highest IMDB-rated Indian movie and gives the movie a big strength to utilise going forward. (The Kannada movie KGF has an IMDB rating of 8.4 while RRR has a rating of 8.0)

4. Strong popularity in Karnataka and among Tulus and Kannadigas:

After KGF, James, 777Charlie, and Vikrant Rona, Kantara is another feather in the Kannada industry's cap as it celebrates the Tulu tradition of Bhoota Kola. Kantara intrigues viewers because though many of the elder generations of Kannadigas have watched this tradition in villages, most of the younger generation has only partially seen it or has heard about it. That's why the movie takes Kannadigas of all ages to their roots.  

 

5. Word of mouth pushes the movie to grow across other regions: Killer reviews by celebs and fans have pushed Kantara's collections over the Rs 100 crore mark.  

• Hindi dubbed version: As of October 17, the Hindi version of Kantara collected about Rs 7.52 crores. 
• Telegu dubbed version: Though the Telegu dubbed movie was released on October 15, 2022, the movie collected Rs 11.5 crore in two days. 
• Tamil dubbed version: Though the official figures are yet to be disclosed, cinemas have increased the screen count showing the movie.  
• Malayalam dubbed version: Is set to release on October 20, 2022 

6. People are watching it multiple times on the big screen! 

People have found multiple reasons to watch the movie more than once. Prabhas, Anil Kumble, and I all watched it twice. It's as if people are addicted to watching the movie because every time you watch it, you learn a new lesson or experience a new mentos moment. 

 

Kantara takes culture, ethnicity and folktales of Karnataka to new heights and presents it with outright honesty and sincerity.