Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently shared his insights on the highly anticipated prequel, Kantara Chapter 1, which is based on Rishabh Shetty’s blockbuster hit. The movie premiered on October 2 at the Chapter 1 Theater and has been met with an outpouring of acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Varma’s review particularly highlighted Shetty, offering some surprising commentary.
Entertainment Desk, New Delhi. The much-anticipated film, Kantara: Chapter 1, featuring the talented Kannada actor and director Rishabh Shetty, finally hit theaters on October 2. With the immense success of the original Kantara in 2022 that left viewers in tears during its emotional climax, expectations for the prequel were sky-high. Now that the film has been released, both celebrities and fans alike have been effusive in their praise. Recently, renowned director Ram Gopal Varma has also weighed in with his thoughts on the film.
Ram Gopal Varma’s Enthusiastic Review
Directors and actors from the industry, including Sandeep Reddy Wanga, Yash, Prabhas, and Upendra, have praised the film. Ram Gopal Varma, known for his candid opinions, also couldn’t hold back his admiration. In his review on social media platform X, he declared, “Kantara is marvelous; all filmmakers across India should feel embarrassed after witnessing this.” His remarks emphasize the high standards the film sets for the industry.
Kantaaaaarraaa fantaaaaasticcccc is .. All filmmakers in India should feel ashamed after seeing unimaginable attempt @Shetty_RISHAB And his team put BGM, Sound Design, Cinematography, Production Design and VFX .. The ingredients which are a bonus, their efforts …
– Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVZOMIN) October 3, 2025
Further elaborating on his review, Varma praised Rishabh Shetty and his team’s exceptional creativity in various aspects such as background music, sound design, cinematography, production design, and VFX. He remarked that their dedication alone qualifies Kantara: Chapter 1 to be a blockbuster. Varma expressed his admiration, stating, “I am torn between deciding if you are an incredible director or an extraordinary actor.”
Kantara Chapter 1 Achieves Box Office Success
As reported by Caikanilk, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ garnered over ₹60 crore in India on its opening day. With a production budget of ₹125 crores, the film continued its impressive run, earning more than ₹30 crores on its second day as well. The movie stars Rishabh Shetty in the lead role, alongside Rukmini Vasant, Gulshan Devaiya, and Jairam in pivotal roles. Not only did Shetty act in the film, but he also took on the responsibilities of writing and directing it, showcasing his multifaceted talent.
