Exclusive! Filmmaker Abhiroop Basu slams Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’, calls the film ‘overhyped’ – Times of India

Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’ has outperformed a host of big star movies and it’s still gaining ground at the box office. While several big names from the entertainment fraternity including Rajinikanth, Kangana Ranaut, Vivek Agnihotri, Ram Gopal Varma among others have heaped praise on the film there are a few who thinks ‘Kantara’ is ‘overhyped’. Critically acclaimed filmmaker Abhiroop Basu who has worked with seasoned actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Adil Hussain is one such name among them.

Abhiroop recently dropped a social media post taking a dig at Rishab’s film after watching it on the big screen. As expected, the post received outrage but the young filmmaker has no intention to change his stand.

When ETimes reached out to Abhiroop he explained why he feels ‘Kantara’ is overhyped. “I feel it’s a mockery of anyone’s intelligence. Poorly made, regressive, loud, replete with tropes, no real character to root for, so called plot twists appear dishonest and merely serve as gimmicks, the protagonist’s redemption arc is laughable and by the time the film reaches the much talked about climax, I am not really interested anymore,” shared the filmmaker.

He further adds, “But I guess it’s shouldn’t really be shocking for a film that forces you to believe in ‘divine intervention’ earning aplenty, especially in a time when you are trying hard as a country to prove the scientific relevance of a mythological character. So really, it all fits in.”

Meanwhile, despite receiving appreciation for its storytelling, visuals and music, ‘Kantara’ recently embroiled kicked up a social media storm after Kerala-based music band Thaikkudam Bridge accused the makers of plagiarism and copyright infringement. Pointing out the similarities between the popular song in ‘Kantara’, ‘Varaha Roopam’ and their 2017 song ‘Navarasam’, the music band alleged “infringement of copyright law” and revealed they want to initiate legal action against the team of ‘Kantara’.