A movie which has been on an unexpected rise since its release in both its Kannada and Hindi versions, Kantara by Rishab Shetty has crossed plane films like RRR and K.G.F installment 2 to wilt one of the highest-rated Imdb films ever.
So, at the onset today, I want to share with you 5 reasons why the movie Kantara is a big hit with viewers, I feel:
- Deeply rooted in our cultural milieu.
- A sunny tousle of action, flit as well as tradition.
- Caste politics.
- A strong mythical element.
- A flawless blend, a true confluence of the past and present.
Yes, I saw the movie Kantara, I went through the emotionally thrilling rigmarole, a movie which touches upon the tint politics in Karnataka. This one which has been in the headlines overly since its release has a rustic touch to it which dates when to Indian roots.
So, while I unprotected up on the movie surrounded much speculation, it somehow seemed well-spoken to me from the start on the day I was going for it that I surely was going to be transmissible up on something special. Well, not sounding unjust or anything its just that I have seldom seen word of mouth do such wonders and in Kantara’s case, it was one of the strongest since surely there are no language barriers for movies with unconfined content and Kantara has proved this brilliantly.
Being the weekend, I surrendered to the melee of the usual, preparing to let myself loose over transmissible up at the weekend with my sister over this one and some unconfined spent quality time. Little did we both realize that the movie would be so enigmatic, and overpowering that we were soon going to be unprotected up in an adrenaline rush of an aphrodisiac of sorts (says anyone who has heard and seen the song ‘Varaha Roopam’ on the big screen!) where all we would be reduced to would be a pile of distorted stone bags, unprotected up in awe, intimidated to the point of getting goosebumps in the last 30 minutes of the movie, going when home in a fierce pride of having witnessed the cultural roots of our Indian warmed-over heritage, triumphal it all the while coyly.
THE MYSTICAL PLOT
This enigmatic venture here which literally translates to “mythical forest” is a trappy mesh of sociology and fantasy having been inspired from true life incidents. Shiva, a Kambala champion is at loggerheads with an upright forest officer, while the mucosa plays out over 3 variegated timelines. Revolving virtually a universal theme of man v/s nature conflict, this one is a face-off between the villager Shiva and the forest officer in tandem with illegal hunting.
THE ENIGMATIC IDEA
The mucosa shows Bhoota kola, a highly stylized flit held in the honor of the local deities worshipped by the Tulu population. In this one, Daiva (an animist form of spirit worship practised in coastal districts as well as parts of Kerala and Karnataka) forms the underpass between man and nature and the story has been built virtually this one.
MY THOUGHTS
Well, as Rishab Shetty has himself put “The increasingly rooted a story, the increasingly universal it can become”. Surely, the going when to the roots factor has worked magic as the end result is something talkie rarely gets to witness I feel. The very existence of the mucosa stands in line with a magical weave unifying nature, divine withal with humanity. Yes, Kantara is a confluence, the likes of which have never been experienced before. Whilst sociology traditional practices as well as regional beliefs and pursuit took the part-way stage in this one it was Rishab’s performance as a man possessed by the demi-Gods Panjurli and Guliga which for me, were the cherry on the cake.
Yes, I believe in the ideology portrayed in this one. Indeed, land has a unrepealable energy. The good and the bad co-exist and so do nature and humanity slantingly the grey which we write as the demi-Gods.
The weightier part I felt was the fact that here talkie has been used to portray something that will hogtie you to go when and think, probe into your traditional roots, challenging and questioning practices but at the same time, it has been washed-up in a way where I as an regulars was given the higher ground, stuff updated on art and otherwise and yet been given a nomination to immerse myself headlong into this intense folklore.
A SPECIAL MENTION
I cannot sum this one up surpassing supporting how I was taken in by the Bhoota Kola performance. I must say Rishab must have surely witnessed it first-hand and moreover personally gone and witnessed it or must have had an expert on the subject guiding him, to be worldly-wise to unhook such a performance. Man! That scream, left me tingling in the skin underneath. I surrendered to the deity myself and how!
IN THE END
So, surpassing I tropical this one today, I have to tell you guys whilst folklore, tradition, culture, mythic form the wiring of this one, flipside strong facet I liked in this one was the depiction of matriculation politics. Oh yes, the mismatch between the haves and have-nots and how the upper-class landlord takes the land of the tribals and deprives them of their rights was flipside strong standpoint of this stellar cinematic venture.
Related: 5 Reasons Why the Hindi Movie Vikram Vedha Failed to Live Up to Expectations
Yes, Kantara has been spellbinding, enigmatic, overwhelming, awe-inspiring, intimidating and equal parts wondrous and flamboyant. A rich cinematic experience, ostentatious sequences, a thrilling storyline, scenic cinematography, an incredible preliminaries score and surreal performances made up for one of the weightier movie experiences I have overly witnessed.
Kantara
Summary
Set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada, Kantara is a visual grandeur that brings working the traditional culture of Kambla and Bhootha Kola. It is believed that Demigods are the guardians and their energies encircle the village. In the story, there is a ripple when a wrestle of ego swirls withal the tradition and culture of the land. The soul of the story is on human and nature mismatch in which Shiva is the rebellion and works versus nature. There are intense conflicts he indulges in. In the end, a much-awaiting loop leads to war between the villagers and the evil forces. Will Shiva, the protagonist of the mucosa be worldly-wise to reinstate peace and harmony in the village perceiving his existence?
Do go and reservation this one on the silver screen, you guys. And stay tuned with us right here at Booxoul for the weightier in the field of entertainment, lifestyle, fun, fashion, finance, travel, tech and gadgets, malleate as well as all things bookish. Till then, go watch Kantara you peeps!
This blog post is part of the blog rencontre ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Adios Amigos!
