Kangana Ranaut Lauds Kantara for Preserving Tribal Traditions

As of October 14th, 2025, Bollywood actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has voiced her appreciation for the critically acclaimed Kannada film Kantara: Chapter 1. The prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, the film has been praised for its spiritual themes, rooted storytelling, and authentic portrayal of South Indian tribal culture.

Ranaut took to social media earlier this week to acknowledge the Kantara franchise after coming across a post highlighting similarities between the Dev culture of the Himalayan region and the traditions depicted in the film. She stated that "such films can be crucial for stopping tribal conversion" and praised the movie's ability to showcase the "vastness of Hinduism and the deep connection people have with their local deities."

Directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, Kantara: Chapter 1 is set in the 4th century AD and explores the beginnings of the Buta Kola ritual, a central spiritual practice featured in the original film. The movie has received widespread acclaim for its powerful storytelling, visually striking sequences, and mythology-inspired narrative.

Prominent industry figures, including filmmakers Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Ram Gopal Varma, as well as cricketer KL Rahul and actor Suniel Shetty, have praised the film's impactful narrative and cultural authenticity. Ranaut's endorsement adds to the growing recognition of Kantara's ability to spotlight indigenous rituals and folk traditions rarely explored in mainstream cinema.