Since its release on 2nd October 2025, Kantara: Chapter 1 is the talk of the country across all regions. Rishab Shetty, the actor-director of the film, has been winning accolades for his terrific lead performance and exemplary execution of the epic mythological drama that has taken the nation by storm.
Much like the first part Kantara, the sequel has also received overwhelmingly positive reviews across India and the film has taken a gargantuan opening at the domestic box office. While the acclaim keeps coming for Shetty, one of the theories floating around is regarding the film's focus on religious myths and folklore.
Mad respect for Rishab Shetty for dealing with smart DStockist Gobi in his left hand.
— Tamil Labs 2.0 (@labstamil) October 4, 2025
"Critics calling Kantara as superstitious are also sharing their belief only. We believe there is a powerful Daiva above us. You respect our beliefs, we'll respect urs"pic.twitter.com/mthuF6GfKo
There is a section of people in India who feel that the Kantara series has thrived purely due to the political climate in the country since 2014 and highly religious stories being told in the film. The question was thrown at Shetty during his inteview with Behindwoods and his response took the host Gobinath Chandran and listeners by surprise. It had poise, power and a lot of sense.
"Even as the film gets praises, there is a section which feels that your film is promoting age-old superstitions and similar things. How do you react to that?", asked Chandran in the interview.
"There is a lot of mention about our age-old myths, superstitions and religious tales. Whoever believes in it will take it in the positive way, those who don't will find it negative," said Shetty with admirable composure.
"We aren't trying to tell a story through a biased point of view. We are just depicting a popular religious folklore as it is. I believe in it, so does my family. We believe that there is an energy that is powerful than humans. I think most people would believe in that."
The criticism does have an irony to it, given that Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1 both have a common theme of projecting humanity in the truest form possible. While religious folklore is at the crux of the films, there is never an agenda in the screenplay or characterisation. Which is why Shetty is unfazed with whatever little negativity that there is.
"Different people have different perspectives on this, I am not bothered about that. It's their point of view and I respect that. But you should also respect my belief. If you don't believe in it, it's fine. Not believing (in God) is also a belief. But we are believing, so you should respect us, that's all."
