No, Kantara is not based on a real story. However, it is deeply inspired by the real cultural traditions and folklore of the native inhabitants of coastal Karnataka or Tulunadu region. Kantara is a 2020 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film written and directed by Rishabh Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kirangandur and Chaluve Gowda under the banner of Hombale Films. The movie stars Rishabh Shetty in dual roles, along with Sapthami Gowda and other characters.
The story draws heavily from the oral folklore and legends concerning local deities or daivas, Panjurli and Guliga, of the coastal region of Karnataka. Furthermore, the movie depicts real issues like land disputes between tribal communities, landlords and the forest authorities controlled by the government.
Plot Summary
Kantara is set in a coastal village in Karnataka and runs across timelines. In the year 1870, a king, seeking inner peace despite immense wealth, encounters divine spirits Panjurli and Guliga in a sacred forest. In exchange for a peace pact with the deities, the king gifts vast tracts of forest land to the tribal communities. In the 1970s, a king’s descendant, Devendra, refuses to honour the ancient pact and lays claim on the forest.
The main plot follows Shiva, a hot-headed young man from the tribal community. He witnesses the disappearance of his father during Bhuta Kola ritual in his childhood. Consequently, he rebels against the village’s local tradition of honouring the daivas through Bhuta Kola.
Shiva is a henchman of the evil landlord Devendra. He clashes with the authorities frequently. The conflict between the villagers and the forest authorities intensify when an honest forest officer arrives to impose government regulations. Devendra’s greed for land leads to murders and violence. Shiva is possessed by the fierce deity Guliga and he slays Devendra and his men.
In an emotional climax, Shiva meets the spirit of his father and disappears into the forest.
Key Elements of Kantara
Core of Kantara revolves around Bhuta Kola. It is a genuine ritual and spirit possession dance honouring local deities, Panjurli and Guliga. This is an ancient, living tradition practiced annually in Tulu-speaking areas of Karnataka and parts of Kerala. As per Hindu scriptures, Panjurli and Guliga are deities created by Goddess Parvati and Lord Vishnu respectively.
As per the director of the movie, the land dispute involving tribals, forest authorities and a greedy landlord, as depicted in the movie, was inspired by similar incidents which occurred in his hometown Keradi in the 1990s.