In times where we are literally bombarded with endless array of quality viewing content thanks to OTT, it’s very rare for a film to make an impact and linger with the audiences well after they have left the theatres. Well Kantara managed to achieve just that and so much more. When I started watching the film I was sceptical that it might not live upto the hype that was created, but I was so wrong. Now I can safely say that it is the best film that I have watched in 2022 and surely one of the best Indian movies of the last decade. It is a story of conflict between man and nature, depicted by the clash between tribals living at the edge of the forest depleting it’s resources and government officials that are trying to conserve it.The different layers in the story is really well woven and doesn’t seem out of place. The journey of the protagonist from an exploiter of the nature to becoming the saviour of the tribals is both amazing and fascinating. The landlord’s insatiable greed to own more land which ultimately results in his downfall is symbolic of the fact that we should be content with the bare necessities of life, unending struggle to acquire more wealth will only usher in unhappiness. Ultimately the question of who owns the land becomes the central theme, and reminds us that nature is untamable and divine & we are at the mercy of it rather than the other way round. All these varied ideas and concepts are all bound together in this film with beautiful use of rich cultural & religious backdrop of the tribals of costal Karnataka. Kudos to writer/director/actor Rishab Shetty for making us aware of the rich cultural heritage of bhoota kola and the religious beliefs associated with it adds the final icing to this amazing presentation. Story rooted to our culture will surely appeal to us and World at large. I welcome this new trend which is producing films worthy of the World stage. As Rishab Shetty said in one of his interviews..” Going regional is Going Global”.