Kantara: Chapter 1

Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 (transl. Mysterious forest: Chapter 1) is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language epic mythological action film written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films. The film stars Rishab Shetty along with Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah. A prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, the story delves deeper into the origins of the tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film.

Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film explores the ancient roots of the Buta Kola ritual and the lore and history explored in the first film released in 2022. Like its predecessor, the prequel blends regional folklore, spirituality, and action, continuing the saga of man's relationship with nature and the divine.

Filming began in November 2023. The first look and teaser was released on 27 November 2023. The publicity poster was designed by Kaani Studio. B. Ajaneesh Loknath composed the soundtrack and background score. The film was released on 2 October 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra. Like its predecessor, the film received positive reviews from critics and became a massive success at the box office.

Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is currently the second-highest grossing Kannada film of all time, highest grossing Indian film of 2025 and also ranks among highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

After Annappa, Kaadubettu Shiva's father, disappears during the Buta Kola ritual in 1970 in the mysterious circle of the forest, a young Shiva questions it in front of his friends and family, to which a villager responds that the circle is a "dhantha kathe", or legend.

The story begins during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty. Vijayendra, king of Bangra, orders the execution of Mayakara, a fisherman and discovers a pouch of precious spices that sparks his desire to seize the sacred spice garden located within the Kantara forest. When he enters the forest, the ganas of Eeshwara and guardian daivas, Panjurli and Guliga, manifest and kill him. His son, Rajashekara, traumatized by his father's death, becomes the new king and decrees that no one should enter the forest. He is portrayed as a just ruler and fathers two children: Kulashekhara, who grows up reckless and indulgent, and Kanakavathi, the more loyal and obedient child.

In the village of Kantara, a sacred well holds a secret. A young boy believed to be born of divine will is found inside and adopted by a tribal woman, who names him Berme. As Berme grows up, he ventures beyond the forest and into the Bangra kingdom's port after an encounter with the newly crowned King Kulashekhara and his minister, Bhogendra. There, he and his companions discover that the spices from the forest are being exploited through barter trade. Berme decides to cultivate and trade spices independently to support his people.

Berme and Kanakavathi develop a romantic connection. However, Kulashekhara, now ruler, is angered by Berme's defiance and growing influence. He sends soldiers to punish the Kantara tribe, but they are defeated. Kulashekhara retaliates with a larger attack on the village. During this assault, Berme's foster mother is killed, and the spirit Guliga emerges from the sacred well to possess Berme. Empowered, Berme kills Kulashekhara in a manner resembling Vijayendra's death.