Kantara Chapter 1 Review: Rishab Shetty's Epic Is 'Peak Cinematic Experience', Say Fans

The biggest film of the year, Rishab Shetty’s Kannada epic Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara has released in theatres and the response from the audiences is nothing short of epic.

Directed by Rishab Shetty who also stars in the lead role, Kantara Chapter 1 also features Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth and Pramod Shetty.

© Hombale Films

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 Review & Reactions

Ahead of its official October 2 release, Kantara Chapter 1 had its paid previews from October 1 evening and the audience is raving about it.

Sharing their review, one social media page wrote, “Kantara Chapter 1 REVIEW: Just one word WHOAAAA, Rishab Shetty delivers again GOOSEBUMPS all over.”

Another social media user reacted, “Kantara Chapter 1 Blockbuster 4.5/5 !! Especially 2nd Half Peak Madness of @shetty_rishab will be on the next level B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R Peak cinematic experience Kantara Chapter 1 Kantara Chapter 1 review Rishab Shetty”.

© Hombale Films

A third user commented, “#KantaraChapter1Review : 4.5 stars @shetty_rishab does it again. Kantara Chapter 1 doesn’t just entertain, it awakens something deeper within you… Pure goosebumps! A cinematic blend of folklore, faith & raw human spirit… Those final 10 minutes of climax redefine what cinema can do , visually breathtaking, emotionally overwhelming. A must & should watch movie..”

A fourth user wrote, “Just watched Kantara 2. What a movie! Every scene felt powerful and meaningful. The visuals gave goosebumps and the story kept me hooked. Proud moment for Kannada cinema. Take a bow, Rishab Shetty! #KantaraChapter1 #RishabShetty #RukminiVasanth”.

Check out some of the responses below:

#KantaraChapter1 Blockbuster 💥 💥
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ 4.5/5 !!

Especially 2nd Half Peak Madness of @shetty_rishab will be on the next level 🔥🔥

B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R 🥵🥵 Peak cinematic experience #KantaraChapter1#KantaraChapter1review #RishabShetty
pic.twitter.com/0xuqhl72iG

— its cinema (@itsciiinema) October 1, 2025

Just watched Kantara 2. What a movie! Every scene felt powerful and meaningful. The visuals gave goosebumps and the story kept me hooked. Proud moment for Kannada cinema. Take a bow, Rishab Shetty!#KantaraChapter1 #RishabShetty #RukminiVasanth pic.twitter.com/tYyC9fBLGs

— Ronith Sachin (@SuperTraderRoni) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1Review : ⭐⭐⭐⭐½@shetty_rishab does it again ✅#KantaraChapter1 doesn’t just entertain, it awakens something deeper within you...🚨

Pure goosebumps!🔥 A cinematic blend of folklore, faith & raw human spirit...

Those final 10 minutes of climax redefine what… pic.twitter.com/fdGULky9v8

— Always Bollywood (@AlwaysBollywood) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1: Kannada Cinema Gearing up for it's Potential 1000Crs film after KGF2 🧨

Above Average 1st half & Extraordinary 2nd half, with enough theatrical High Moments⚡ pic.twitter.com/wYESGmOv29

— AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1: SURESHOT B-L-O-C-K-B-U-S-T-E-R ❤️🔥

A Never seen Crazy 30 Mins of Extended Climax Block🤯#RishabShetty's Rudhra Thandavam🛐 pic.twitter.com/rLyvq86cld

— AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1 REVIEW: Just one word WHOAAAA, Rishab Shetty delivers again 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 GOOSEBUMPS all over.

— LetsCinema (@letscinema) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1Review :

What an experience! 🙌 @shetty_rishab once again proves he’s a master storyteller.#KantaraChapter1 is more than a film—it’s a soul-stirring journey into folklore, faith & human emotions.🔥
That climax? Unforgettable. Visually surreal, emotionally… pic.twitter.com/Q0g03akK4V

— Nithin G M (@Nithin_gm1) October 1, 2025

#KantaraChapter1Review : ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨#KantaraChapter1 is fantastic film. superb storyline, emotions and those final 10 minutes of climax are terrific.@shetty_rishab outstanding performance and direction of the film.

Overall kantara chapter 1 is fantastic film and cinematic… pic.twitter.com/dLUTguvMWZ

— Vishwajit Patil (@_PatilVishwajit) October 1, 2025

Kantara Chapter 1 is expected to be an even bigger blockbuster at the box office than Kantara.

While the film is running riot in Karnataka, the biz in Hindi is below expectations.