Ahead of Kantara Chapter 1, here’s a deep dive into Kantara – Ondu Dantakathe

Back in 2022, Kannada actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty made a film based on folklore that he grew up listening to and strongly believing in, in his hometown Keradi in Kundapur. Stories that he thought deserved a larger audience. The film was released in Kannada only for the local audience and marketed as a “namma mannina kathe”, but it soon took on a life of its own and caught the fancy of viewers not only across India, but outside too. A film made at around Rs 15-16 cr, which was a big budget undertaking for Rishab, made close to Rs 400 cr worldwide, eventually.

A story of divine land guardianship

Kantara – Ondu Dantakathe opens in 1847, and follows a king in the pursuit of inner peace, which he finds deep in the forest in the form of Panjurli Daiva, through his daiva narthaka. In return for the peace he seeks the King is told to hand over forest land to the indigenous folk residing there, which he does and all is well until, in 1970, a descendant of the king attempts to reclaim what he believes is rightfully his. Panjurli warns that going to court would ensure that justice will be served on the steps of the staircase.

The descendant mocks the daiva narthaka, wondering if it is the daiva speaking or the narthaka, a mere mortal, to which the latter says that if it is the daiva, he will never be seen again and sprints off into the darkness of the jungle, where he then disappears in a ring of fire. Soon after, as per the prophecy, the descendant keels over and dies on the stairwell.

Also read: Kantara Chapter 1 2025: Release date, trailer, plot, cast, budget, OTT partner - all you need to know 

Meanwhile, the daiva narthaka’s disappearance was witnessed by his son, Shiva (Rishab Shetty), who grows up to be quite the anti-thesis of his devout father, drinking, hunting and making merry and refusing to become a daiva narthaka like his ancestors. But when the homes of the villagers are under threat, after a government order to convert it to forest reserve, yet another descendant, Devendra, of the erstwhile King sees it as the perfect opportunity to take back his land.

In the ensuing battle, Shiva is no match for the thugs unleashed by Devendra and is left for dead, only to be revived by Panjurli, whose kshetrapala Guliga possesses him and restores balance. Enlightened by the turn of events, Shiva too becomes a daiva narthaka and later disappears just like his father in a ring of fire.

*Kantara and other exciting titles on Amazon Prime Lite will also be available to existing OTTplay Premium subscribers with a top-up plan*

Q. Where will Kantara Chapter 1 be available after the theatrical run?

A. Amazon Prime Video has acquired the post-theatrical streaming rights of Kantara Chapter 1. The film will drop on the platform on October 30 in the four south languages, while Hindi is expected to be available after 8 weeks.

Q. What is the budget of Kantara Chapter 1?

A. Kantara Chapter 1 has, reportedly, been made at a budget of around Rs 120 cr