Kantara - Varaha Rūpam...

Kantara

2022, Kannada

Directed by Rishab Shetty

Stars Rishab Shetty, Kishore, Sapthami Gowda, Achyuth Kumar, Swaraj Shetty

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The haunting composition plays out in our heads whether we have seen the movie or not. Watching the teasers and trailers we are baited to enter a world which is faintly familiar but truly not ours, although it is a very natural part of the human story. 

Many of us will be quick to label it as part of our Hindu heritage, if only in a futile attempt to justify our mehndi parties, mehfils, and 20 minute weddings. But, in truth, what Kantara offers is something truly undefinable, requiring less of us in faith as in acceptance.

Indeed, it is the raw, genuine nature of Kantara's plot which makes it such a masterpiece. It not pan-this or nouveau-that. It is about the psyche of real people living real lives and feeling real emotions. The majority are neither sinners nor saints, but like all human beings, an indescribable mix of both.  It is in this world where no one need seek truth. For Truth reveals itself, sometimes as epiphany and sometimes as sheer terror.

For the lead character, Shiva, it is both, frightening him out of self delusion, and  revealing to him his destiny. Mr. Shetty carries this message across with soulful honesty as actor and as a director. But we, like his character, are simply shocked and awestruck by such moments of revelation. It is amazing the contrast in how it affects the other characters. But in the end, it is all about acceptance. 

For this, there is little need for over the top CGI. The story, the dance, the ancientness is more than enough to mesmerize us, taking us out of our world in to the Tulu world. 

Kantara is less about impressing us than revealing to us the validity and integrity of the people whom the modern world calls backward. In doing so, the modern world only admits its own self delusion. But we needn't worry. The Truth will reveal itself, either as epiphany...or sheer fright.