Madhur Bhandarkar Calls Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 'Raw, Divine And Utterly Captivating'

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 has taken the nation by storm. Released last Friday, the Kannada-language epic has already become a box office juggernaut, earning critical acclaim from both fans and filmmakers alike. Joining the long list of admirers, National Award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar has now penned a glowing review, calling the film “extraordinary” and unlike anything Indian cinema has witnessed before.

Madhur Bhandarkar Lauds Kantara Chapter 1

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Fashion and Page 3 filmmaker wrote, “Saw the film #KantaraChapter1 by @shetty_rishab, and I must say, Indian cinema has never seen anything like it before. It’s a raw, divine, and utterly captivating work of art. #RishabShetty delivers an extraordinary

performance, expertly crafting & carrying the entire film.”

Thank you so much ✨ https://t.co/jZUiK777Fv

— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) October 4, 2025

He further praised the technical brilliance of the project, adding, “The performances, including @rukminitweets, are outstanding. The background score, sound design, cinematography, production design, and VFX are world class. Big congratulations to @hombalefilms for their unwavering support of this brilliant creative team. #KantaraChapter1.”

Rishab Shetty and his co-star Rukmini Vasanth reposted Madhur’s review, expressing gratitude for the filmmaker’s heartfelt appreciation.

The Phenomenon of Kantara Chapter 1

Helmed and written by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 serves as a prequel to his 2022 blockbuster Kantara, which became a cultural phenomenon, earning over ₹400 crore worldwide on a modest ₹15 crore budget. Set nearly a thousand years before the events of the original, the prequel dives deeper into the roots of divinity, tradition, and faith that defined the original saga.

The film stars Rishab Shetty in a powerful lead role, alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah. Within just five days of its release, Kantara Chapter 1 has shattered records, reportedly inching close to the ₹250 crore mark at the domestic box office.

Critics have praised the film’s visual grandeur, immersive soundscape, and emotional depth — elements that have elevated it beyond a typical mythological action drama into a deeply spiritual cinematic experience.

With appreciation pouring in from the film fraternity and audiences alike, Kantara Chapter 1 continues to prove that Rishab Shetty’s vision is not just reshaping Kannada cinema but redefining Indian storytelling on a global scale.