Kantara Chapter 1 trailer X reviews: Netizens divided; highest grosser of the year loading or just average?
Kantara Chapter 1 trailer: Rishab Shetty’s film is a guaranteed blockbuster said many, while others felt that the trailer was like old wine in a new bottle
Last Updated: 02.22 PM, Sep 22, 2025
After months of painstakingly keeping all details of Kantara Chapter 1 a mystery, Rishab Shetty has finally given audiences a glimpse into the world he’s created this time around. The expectation was that Rishab would do an origin story for the daiva Panjurli or Guliga, but while the daiva tradition is undoubtedly a part of the narrative, the larger story follows a bit of a template, an evil king, tribals burdened by heavy taxes and a revolt against this oppressive system, with a sprinkling of romance added for effect. This time, there’s a class conflict too, with the princess falling for the charms of the tribal man, much to the chagrin of her family.
While the trailer of the 2022 Kantara pleasantly surprised audiences, this time around, perhaps, because of the weight of expectation that the prequel had, Rishab’s trailer has left viewers divided. Rishab, feel most, is set to create history, with his tribute to the folklore and culture of coastal Karnataka set to become the highest grosser of the year (HGOTY). Kantara Chapter 1, they reckon, is the next Rs 1000cr film that will take the box office by storm.
This time around, the scale is massive, the visuals are top-notch, and each frame screams grandeur, with Rishab ensuring there will be moments galore that will give audiences goosebumps. “If the story connects, the sky’s the limit,” said a netizen, while another added that it has blockbuster vibes all around. Gulshan Devaiah also received a lot of praise.
However, not everyone was impressed with the trailer. “Yak madidri edu; look like a mess”, wrote one user, while several pointed out that the trailer cut was bad and gave a below average feel. “My worst fear turned true; in the pursuit of making a bigger film, Kantara has lost its essence,” said another.
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Some are holding on to hope. “I think #KantaraChapter1Trailer has been underplayed intentionally to keep the actual stuff hidden and saved for the movie,” wrote a viewer.
Kantara Chapter 1 releases on October 2, with paid premeires expected to open on the evening of October 1. The film will release in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and English.
FAQs
Q. Are Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1 the same?
A. No, they are separate films in the same franchise, both written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Kantara released in 2022, while Kantara: Chapter 1 is expected to hit theatres on October 2, 2025. Chapter 1 is the prequel of the original film and is supposedly an exploration of the origin of the Panjurli Daiva, among others.
Q. Whose avatar is Panjurli Daiva?
A. Panjurli Daiva is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha incarnation. Panjurli, according to folklore, was a wild boar, who was slain by Lord Shiva and then revived to become a divine protector.