Kantara - A Legend: Chapter 1 (ಕಾಂತಾರ: ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ - ೧)

Why did Appayya (Father) vanish right in this spot?

This is our place of origin, dear.

Our ancestors lived here.

It's a legend.

Send a share to the office, okay?

Kamala...

What's happening?

Move aside!

- Scoundrel! - Hey, Rampa!

What are you staring at?

My Grandpa's gun.

It fires at its will.

Continue the story.

Damn her punch landed well.

What do you mean by a legend?

Eons ago, Eshwara's Ganas roamed this land.

Who are Ganas?

The Daivas we believe in.

A force that has become one with nature.

Whenever mankind strays into Adharma (unrighteousness).

From the divine realm, Lord Eshwara sends

his Ganas to protect Dharma (righteousness).

Among those who came, was the one we follow - Panjurli.

But to drink the blood of those on the path of Adharma came another Daiva.

The fierce force, Guliga.

All of these Ganas came to dwell in this sacred land.

Thousands of years ago, it was known as

KANTARA - A LEGEND CHAPTER 1

It was the era of the Kadambas who ruled over Banavasi.

The Palegaras of the west stationed by the sea, served as the Kadambas’ vassal kings.

With the strength of his sword

a man shed a river of blood and became the king of the vassals.

A monster in human guise.

Vijayendra of Bangra.

Unaware of the outside world, our elders lived a peaceful life.

Among them was Baidi, a little girl with dreams.

Jabbanna, look here.

Looks beautiful, right?

Did we just find a sacred stone?

Our people, who worshipped nature, stood there seeing the Daiva in the stone.

Blood ran through the shallow waters.

One man stood watching it all from afar.

Maayakaara

JABBANNA!

Our strong ancestors ended up as slaves to Bangra's kingdom.

Gosh! Jabba!

One day, when the King was taking a bath in the ocean.

Maayakaara was sitting far away, dropping a hook.

Hey! His blood shouldn't touch the water!

Seeing the spices, the king's eyes lit up.

Though it lacked the shine of silver or gold, it was the foundation of their trade.

Where did you find this?

Lord Eshwara's garden of bloom

Kantara.

The king had everything.

Except for Kantara.

We're on the right path, right?

- Where did the old man go?! - He was right here!

The king had fallen into the Maayakaara's magical trap.

He took in everything the light revealed.

Lord Eshwara's garden of bloom

But it wasn't just light.

Appa (Father)! It's burning!

Wait right here!

Appa!

What happened to the tree?!

Well, there goes the king of Bangra!

Huh?!

Swami Panjurli is here.

If anyone steps onto the land of sacred stone with destruction in their heart

Their blood shall be cleansed only when it spills on this sacred soil!

Let my voice, which has crossed lands in the air

Let it deliver this message to all who hear it

And let it leave their ears trembling!

Rajashekhara, who ran into the forest in a frenzy, headed straight toward Kadapa.

While some found peace through worship

Others were out there, seeking power through summoning.

From the story Rajashekhara told about the sacred stones,

the Kadapa people set their eyes on Kantara's powers.

With the help of the Kadapa tribe, Rajashekhara returned to his kingdom.

Thus, darkness and hideousness became one.

Decades passed, yet the fear of Kantara lived on in Rajashekhara’s heart.

Whenever the land of Dharma grows parched, the Ullaaya (Almighty) brings rain.

Thus, divine forces are born in this soil, again and again.

Jabbanna, look here! There's a baby in the well!

Baidi chose to take in the child nobody wanted.

Found at the Daivas' origin, he was named...

Berme.

Back in Bangra, Rajashekhara fathered two children.

But when he learned that the girl child had no strength in her arms or legs...

Why is this known as Eshwara's garden of bloom?

When our beloved Lord Shiva came here to perform his penance

Goddess Parvathi created this garden so he could meditate in peace.

Who is Berme talking to?

Has he lost it?

You picked an abandoned infant and are asking me if it's sane?

What can I do? Come. Let's go.

As he grew up, Berme was in awe of the sacred stones.

You should never step into Kantara, my children.

But why?

There lives a Brahma-rakshasa.

What are you sniggering about?

Don't laugh.

There lives a Brahma-rakshasa!

Years passed and our ancestors, who used the forest’s resources to live

left a share for the Daivas and kept another for themselves.

The third share was left at the edge of the forest.

They were made to believe that the Brahma-Rakshasa would take that share.

For Kantara and Bangra's next generation,

the fear of the Brahma-Rakshasa became the boundary.

As he aged, Rajashekhara crowned his son King.

The King of the kings.

The Regal Emperor.

The Supreme Ruler of the People.

The Lord of Bangra.

The redeemer of Sri Rajashekhara's lineage.

The new ruler of the Bangra throne.

His Holiness King Kulashekhara.

All hail! All hail! All hail!

Kanakavathi, let's go.

Kulashekhara, bow down to the Rajaguru (The Royal Guru)!

My my! The priest's here!

Namaskara (Greetings)!

May God bless you!

Which God?

All you need are my blessings.

Wishing you well. Carry on.

A gift from the Kadambas to the King.

My King! Whoa!

Can I take a look?

- It's shining, right? - Look how awesome it is!

- My King! - So heavy!

When the kingdom was prospering under your rule

Was it truly necessary to crown your son?

My father never got to see me ascend the throne.

What I couldn't do for my father

I believe my son will achieve.

Will he really be able to?

I'm with him, aren't I?

As King, you made me your minister, Kulashekhara.

We must find a way to celebrate this.

Celebrate how?

Wars ended during my father's reign.

You still need to rule, don't you?

Well, you're right.

Shall we kick things off with a hunt?

That's like it.

Where do we go?

Kantara.

What a scary forest!

Is there really a Brahma-rakshasa in this forest?

Didn’t your father claim he saw it with his own eyes?

Ah! Even if it's here, what does it matter?

The men up ahead will run into it before we do.

No matter who gets caught, I hope I don't.

- AY BHOGENDRA! - Yeah?

Ride the chariot slowly!

You're making me throw up everything I drank!

I can't go any slower than this.

If it's that much trouble, walk with the soldiers.

What?!

Can't tell who's king or minister anymore.

- Give me an arrow. - Take this.

- Give me the bow. - Oh!

I forgot the bow.

Goddammit! This chimp brain!

Shows up for a hunt with arrows and no bow.

What do I shoot this with now, dumbo?

Sire! Excuse me?

Please tell the King to keep it low.

Give me the bow, moron!

Annu, somebody's definitely there.

What happened?

Something flew by me.

Man has zero survival instincts!

Hey! Keep an eye out!

- Langur! Langur! - Where?!

Bravo Madhukara! That was a damn good shot!

- Of course. I showed him. - Really?

- Bring the prey! - Guards in the front, go on!

If you hear anything inside, give us a 'Coo'.

- Are you going further inside? - I'm not an idiot! I'll just run!