Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 2: Sometimes cinema doesn’t just open; it breathes. Kantara: Chapter 1, the long-awaited prequel to the 2022 phenomenon Kantara, promised that kind of visceral resonance — an origin story steeped in myth, folklore, and cosmic conflict. Now that it’s in theatres, we’ve glimpsed both its triumphs and its frailties. Let’s dig into why this film might remake expectations — yet still risk being outshone by its own ambition.

If I were handing out tickets based on excitement alone, Kantara: Chapter 1 would be booked solid. The buzz preceding its release was deafening. On X (Twitter), cinephiles already crowned Rishab Shetty “master storyteller,” applauded the world-building, and hyped a “goosebumps climax.” Paid previews reportedly sold over 1 million tickets before Day 1, and trailers alone stoked cultural pride and curiosity.

That said, cinema is cruel to hype. The film asks a lot from its audience: patience, suspension, belief in gods and curses, and trust that its mythos will pay off. On some counts, it does — magnificently so. On others — less so.

Weaving the Tale: What Kantara: Chapter 1 Offers

Directed, written, and led by Rishab Shetty, Chapter 1 takes us back to the Kadamba era in coastal Karnataka, digging into the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual, ancestral conflict over land and faith, and a hero’s mythic journey. Shetty reprises the role of Berme, embodying a fierce, haunted protagonist whose inner turmoil echoes across nature, divinity, and folklore. Opposite him is Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi, a royal figure whose ambitions, love, and political weight enrich the emotional axis of the film. Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, and others support, lending gravitas to shifting allegiances, betrayals, and cultural weight.

Visually and technically, the film is swathed in grandeur. Arvind S. Kashyap’s cinematography captures dense forests, misty rivers, rugged landscapes — landscapes that feel fated, not decorated.  B. Ajaneesh Loknath immerses the narrative with a score that pulses with elemental energy.  The visual effects, especially in the ritualistic, supernatural sequences, make you lean forward, hoping the cinema frame never gives out.

The film’s narrative pacing is uneven: the first half moves with foreboding elegance, building toward the interval with tension, portentous visuals, and hints of fate. After intermission, the scale increases — actions widen, stakes rise, mystical confrontations intensify. Some sequences sparkle; others strain under their own weight.

Where the Saga Soars — and Where It Stumbles

Highlights That Conjure Wonder

• Climactic power & emotional payoff: Many reviews, including India Today’s, highlight how the film holds itself together best when it leans into full mythic tilt, especially in its last 30–40 minutes.  The “Guliga scream” — a terrifying motif from Kantara — resurfaces, varied and terrifying, and feels evolutionary rather than repetitive.

• Lead performances anchoring the spectacle: Shetty’s Berme commands presence; his physicality, emotion, and internal fractures are palpable. Rukmini Vasanth matches him, holding her role with dignity and layered agency. Jayaram and others bring depth, especially when resonance is needed in quieter moments.

• Technical mastery: The film’s immersive world owes much to its visual design, soundscape, and editing. Yes, it’s loud. Yes, it’s dramatic. But for the most part, those choices feel deliberate.

• Word-of-mouth momentum: Early reviews are overwhelmingly positive; social feeds are ablaze with praise. Many viewers are calling it a spiritual, cinematic experience that demands the big screen. North American premier shows reportedly crossed half a million USD in collections.

Cracks in the Mythic Facade

• Draggy stretches & pacing fatigue: While the first act earns you, there are moments mid-second half where the film lags. Scenes that dwell too long, narrative detours that feel more ornamental than necessary — these slow the momentum. Some critics noted that parts of the storyline feel “overstuffed” or too ambitious in exposition.

• VFX inconsistency: When the film leans fully into visual spectacle, the results largely impress. But a few sequences betray limitations — compositing flaws, sketchy CGI edges — which momentarily break immersion. Critics flagged this as a minor but noticeable shortcoming.

• Conversational and comedic missteps: Some dialogues or attempts at levity feel jarring against the somber, mythic tone. A few audience voices on social media suggest that comic relief doesn’t always land, sometimes diluting tension rather than lifting it.

• Overhype burden: The 2022 Kantara ambled into folklore-myth territory with freshness. Now, the expectations are colossal. Some voices warn that the film leans too heavily on legacy — that it expects emotional returns based on name brand alone. One particularly scathing reaction on social media called it “overhyped, with poor writing.”

Also worth noting: in production, there’s been controversy. The tragic death of a junior artist on set (MF Kapil, drowned in a river) had stirred calls for greater safety protocols. and earlier reports about a boat capsizing while filming were publicly denied by the team. These incidents shadow the glamour, reminding audiences of cinema’s real risks behind art.

Box Office, Projections & Stakes

• As per Sacnilk, Kantara: Chapter 1’s pre-sales rocketed to ₹19.44 crore (gross) — breaking into the top 10 advance bookings of 2025. Koimoi

• Early reports place Day 1 collection (India net) around ₹18.8 crore by afternoon. Some analytic estimates suggest the film might touch ₹30–40 crore net, propelled by Dussehra holiday footfalls and strong single-screen traction.

• Overseas, its premiere shows in North America surpassed US$500,000 — a promising marker for its pan-India and global ambitions.

• In trade commentary, Kantara: Chapter 1 is being positioned as one of 2025’s last viable contenders for the ₹1,000 crore club. But even optimistic voices admit that’s a tall order — especially given the early underwhelming advance booking in the Hindi belt.

• Its runtime is 168 minutes (a long haul for mainstream audiences). The certification is U/A, which may slightly limit audience segments.

So far, the film’s theatrical gamble is paying off, especially in its core Kannada market and among cinephiles. But its long-term fortunes will pivot on sustained word-of-mouth, evening occupancy, and multilingual pull.

If I Had to Write the Press Note (Polished, Not Pretentious)

Kantara: Chapter 1 is not just a prequel — it’s a metamorphosis. With Rishab Shetty at the helm, the film recasts mythology, folklore, and faith into a living, breathing world. The visual palette, soul-stirring score, and lead performances converge to deliver an epic rooted in emotion. Sure, the film strains at edges: pacing sag, VFX inconsistencies, occasional tonal misfires. But its wounds are minor compared to its majesty. With advance bookings already crossing ₹19 crore and global previews making waves, Chapter 1 may well be the folklore resurgence Indian cinema needs this year.

Final Take: Should You Watch It?

Yes — Kantara: Chapter 1 is worth your theatre seat and your emotional investment. If you crave spectacle, myth, lush ambition, and a film that dares to make you believe in gods again, it delivers. But go in with tempered expectations: the journey is uneven, occasionally over-earnest, and asks that you surrender to its worldview more than question it.

On balance, I’d rate it 4 / 5 stars — a film that hovers near greatness, stumbles just slightly, but dazzles often enough to redeem itself.

If it sustains box office momentum and avoids the “was great but I expected more” whisper, it might be spoken of for years — a legacy extension worthy of the original Kantara.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 2: When Bollywood decides to serve a romantic comedy platter during Dussehra, expectations soar higher than the sparklers in the sky. “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari”, releasing on 2 October 2025, arrives with that promise — a festive feel-good entertainer with a star cast, catchy songs, and dramatic flourishes. But does it deliver? Here’s a take that leans equal parts admirer and critic.

Let me confess: there’s a certain guilty pleasure in watching a masala rom-com that doesn’t pretend to be cerebral. And yet, one hopes for more than a sugar rush. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (SSKTK) rides on that tightrope — oscillating between heartfelt intentions and glaring formulaic pitfalls.

What the Story Offers (Without Spoiling Too Much)

Set primarily in Delhi, the plot revolves around Sunny (Varun Dhawan) and Tulsi (Janhvi Kapoor), once lovers, now caught in the chaos of exes, misunderstandings, manipulations, and a possible rekindling. The trailer teases a tale of “Ishq & Ex Ka Golmaal,” with both of them scheming to win back former flames but, predictably, tumbling into new emotional territory.

The film doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — we have the love triangle, side characters for comic relief, musical interludes, and dramatic reveals. Yet in interviews, director Shashank Khaitan mentions that his intent was to tap into cinema that brings families back to theatres, with a mix of “heart, music, and humor.”

The runtime is crisp: 2 hours 15 minutes, with a U/A certificate (after reportedly cutting ~60% of kissing sequences per CBFC’s instructions).

What Shines Bright (and Why Audiences Are Smiling)

Chemistry & Performances

Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor — reunited after Bawaal — bring familiarity and ease to the film. Early reactions suggest that viewers are warming to their camaraderie and banter. Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra, and supporting cast infuse liveliness, even in scenes that might’ve dragged without them.

Humor, Energy & Escapism

One of the film’s strengths is that it doesn’t shy away from being cinematic candy. The trailer brims with vibrant colour, comic twists, and signature Bollywood grandiosity. The audience, especially those seeking light entertainment, seems to be enjoying it as a festive escape.

The film also seems to lean into its romantic fluff unapologetically — sometimes to its credit. It doesn’t pretend to be deeper; it wants to make you laugh, clap, and get lost for a while.

Marketing Gimmicks & Engagement

The promotions have been robust. A notable campaign: “Dharma Dream Wedding”, where fans can partake in a cinematic wedding experience tied to the film.  Also, cast interactions (like Rohit Saraf joking about Varun “bullying” him on set) have kept social media buzzing. Interestingly, the film’s distributors have negotiated a 50% showcasing in two-screen cinemas, 33% in three-screen, 25% in four-screen multiplexes — a strategic dance to assert presence without overreaching.

Yet, all glitz doesn’t guarantee substance — that’s where the cracks come in.

The Cracks & Letdowns (Because No Film Is Perfect)

Familiarity Fatigue & Predictability

For a film that openly courts rom-com tropes, some audience members might feel déjà vu. The narrative arcs are mostly telegraphed; the emotional beats fall on familiar chords. At times, the film feels safe — too safe. Contrast that with the unexpected turns that Kantara: Chapter 1 (releasing alongside) promises — SSKTK might look pretty, but not as daring.

Overstuffed Scenes & Pacing

While the first half flows with energy, whispers online suggest the film struggles to sustain momentum in parts. Some scenes could have been pruned. There’s also a complaint (from netizens) about the song “Perfect” — that Sanya Malhotra, though part of the cast, is conspicuously missing from the music video, igniting speculation of sidelining.

Promotional Missteps

Not all publicity is positive. A clip from the trailer-launch event went viral: Janhvi Kapoor discussed AI misuse and celebrity deepfake dangers, but Varun Dhawan allegedly interrupted her with a joke. Netizens slammed it as disrespectful.That’s the kind of PR slip that lingers longer than box office numbers.

And yes — knowing that 60% of on-screen kissing was cut per CBFC instruction raises questions about creative compromise.

Box Office Chances — Ambitious, But Risky

Advance bookings are modest: just over ₹2 crore according to reports — respectable, but not explosive, especially in the face of stiff competition from Kantara. Predictive outlets had projected opening day earnings between ₹8–10 crore, or even ₹10.50–11.50 crore in strong Hindi circuits. If SSKTK doesn’t exceed those expectations or get strong word-of-mouth, sustaining beyond the first weekend could be a challenge.

One industry note: the film’s distributors are explicitly requesting limited but strategic screen splits, likely acknowledging Kantara’s pull. That’s a smart hedge or a tacit admission of tough battlefield.

The Numbers Game (So Far)

• Advance sales: ~ ₹2 crore+ — decent, but overshadowed by Kantara’s hype.

• Budget / Box office: No official confirmed data yet. Bollywood Hungama lists “no data to display” for earnings.

• Projections: Some predictions place India’s net opening at ₹10.50–11.50 crore.

• Runtime & Certification: 2h 15m, U/A after cuts.

So at present, the film is banking on festive footfalls, audience goodwill, and social media momentum to turn ROI (return on investment) into reality.

Verdict (with a Dash of PR Polishing)

Think of Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari as confectionery cinema — indulgent, vivid, occasionally sticky, but not without flavor. Its strengths lie in its cast chemistry, breezy tone, and moments that genuinely evoke a smile or two. The film isn’t aiming to be revolutionary; it wants to be comforting entertainment. And in many stretches, it succeeds.

However, for viewers hoping for deeper emotional exploration, narrative surprises, or bold risks, SSKTK may feel like a pleasant but safe ride. Whether that’s enough depends on how much you love revisiting rom-com tropes, or whether you demand something fresh.

From a PR perspective, the makers can lean into festive goodwill, highlight the colourful visuals, showcase the romantic energy, and hope the buzz carries the film through its weekend. Yet they should also brace for critiques — and perhaps, smartly, the film doesn’t pretend to be flawless.

Final Score (subjective): ~ 2.75 / 5

If you’re in the mood for something light, celebratory, and easy on the brain, this film might hit the spot. If you’re seeking cinematic risks — maybe stick around for Kantara or your alternative picks. Either way, Dussehra deserves a film that gets the crowd smiling. SSKTK mostly delivers on that front, with occasional stumbles.

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