The first trailer for Rishab Shetty directorial 'Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1' released on Monday, setting the Internet ablaze.
Ahead of the prequel's much-anticipated worldwide release on October 2, 2025, the new trailer sets the tone for what is touted as a gripping saga of folklore, faith, and fire.
The trailer sees Rishab Shetty likely play Kaadubettu Shiva's father, the eponymous Kantara, rooting his origin in a tale of class conflict and revolution.
The ending also hints at supernatural forces, as the film is likely to elaborate further on the two deities shown in the 2022 hit 'Kantara': Panjurli and Guligan.
Filled with numerous scenes of battle and a new romance, the trailer also introduces Gulshan Devaiah's character. In fact, the film is touted to have one of the largest war sequences in Indian cinema, shot using 500 trained fighters over an intensive 45–50 days.
According to the film's Fandango synopsis, 'Kantara: Chapter 1' will see Rishab Shetty turn into a fierce Naga Sadhu, "a warrior-mystic destined to become the bridge between mortals and the divine".
"Ancient rituals, supernatural forces, and tribal struggles collide in a cinematic spectacle like no other—this isn’t just a prequel, it’s the origin of a myth," the site said.
B. Ajaneesh Loknath will return to compose the prequel's music, following his powerful, haunting score for the first film. Cinematography will be helmed by Arvind Kashyap, and production design by Vinesh Banglan.
The prequel will feature 'Sapta Saagaradaache Ello' fame Rukmini Vasanth opposite Rishab Shetty, in addition to Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram and Rakesh Poojari.