Sandeep Reddy Vanga calls Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 a “Masterpiece”

Acclaimed filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for Arjun Reddy and Animal , has hailed Rishab Shetty’s latest release Kantara: Chapter 1 as a “masterpiece,” describing it as a one-man show that redefines Indian cinema.

The film, a prequel to Shetty’s 2022 blockbuster Kantara , explores pre-colonial Karnataka during the Kadamba dynasty, narrating the struggle between the tribals of Kantara forest and a tyrannical king. Like its predecessor, the film has been lauded for blending folklore, spirituality, and rooted storytelling on an epic scale.

Taking to X, Vanga wrote: “ Kantara Chapter 1 is a true masterpiece. Indian cinema has never seen anything like this before. It’s a cinematic thunderstorm, raw, divine, and unshakable. Rishab Shetty delivers a true one-man show… Special mention to the BGM by Ajaneesh B Loknath.”

Shetty, who wrote, directed, and starred in the prequel, expressed gratitude to fans and colleagues, recalling his journey from struggling to secure single shows in 2016 to witnessing 5,000+ housefull screenings in 2025. “This journey is nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace,” he shared.

Previously honored with the National Film Award for Best Actor and Best Popular Film for Kantara , Shetty has once again received nationwide acclaim with the prequel, which was released on Thursday in seven languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English.

With rave reviews and powerful endorsements, Kantara: Chapter 1 looks set to continue the cultural legacy of its predecessor while carving new milestones for Kannada cinema.