PlanetMercury

Kantara is a Kannada film that weaves together folklore, tradition, human greed, and the eternal conflict between man and nature. The story begins centuries ago in a small coastal village in Karnataka, where the people worship a local deity known as Bhoota. The film’s opening narration reveals the tale of a king who, despite having wealth, power, and land, feels a sense of emptiness. Seeking peace, he visits a sacred forest where he encounters a divine spirit. The deity grants him tranquility and fulfillment in exchange for the king surrendering part of his kingdom to the villagers so that they may live in harmony with nature and worship the deity freely. The king agrees, handing over the land to the community, and it is decreed that the forest belongs not to any ruler but to the deity itself, to be preserved for generations to come. The villagers, in return, promise devotion and offerings to the deity through the sacred ritual performance of Bhoota Kola, a spiritual dance where the ch...