Kantara’s success eclipsed by fans recreating…
Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, has been a box office success since its October 2 release. The film’s compelling narrative and realistic depiction of holy customs enthralled viewers. However, a concerning trend has now eclipsed its success. There has been much discussion around cultural sensitivity and respect for religious rituals as a result of fans dressing up as Daiva and recreating possession sequences in movie theatres.
What happened at the theatres during Kantara screening?
Videos of fans reenacting the film’s ceremonial Daiva possession sequences have surfaced from various locales. A fan in a Daiva costume did the stunt at the Uma Rajendraa theatre in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. In Bengaluru, another incident happened outside the Anjan Theatre. A fan enacted a possession moment here while dressed in a yellow kurta and dhoti. These films received harsh criticism and swiftly went viral on social media.
What is Daiva worship?
The Daiva scenes in the Kantara films put viewers in a trance and elevated the movie to a masterpiece. The custom of Dhaivaradhane, a highly esteemed spiritual practice practiced in the coastal Tulunadu district of Karnataka, lies at the heart of both Kantara films. The Tulu society places great religious significance on these centuries-old holy ceremonies.
The film portrays Daiva as a…
With possession sequences designed to convey the seriousness and emotional depth of sincere worship, the movie presents Daiva as a highly esteemed celestial being. These customs serve as a continuous thread of faith and cultural identity for the local populations.
Why netizens are enraged?
On social media, the fan imitations have sparked a heated debate, with many members of the community feeling uneasy about what they see as the trivialization of religious rituals. Daiva worship, according to community members, is ingrained in a rich spiritual heritage and cannot be boiled down to amusement or social media posts.
Rishab Shetty hurt by these acts
In a special interview with India Today Digital, Rishab Shetty said he was disappointed to see supporters acting in this way. He made a plea to the supporters, urging them to refrain from copying. Shetty acknowledged that Kantara was a film for the cinematic experience, but he said the rites it shows are sacrosanct. He said, Uska jo seriousness hai, jo Daiva nartak hai, unko humne bahot carefully show kiya hai. Usme kuch bhi idhar udhar nahi hona chahiye.
Hombale films urges fans to stop…
Kantara: Chapter 1 production company Hombale Films, in addition to Rishab Shetty, also voiced their displeasure of these actions. They noted that Dhaivaradhane stands as a profound symbol of faith and cultural pride within Tulunadu, the coastal region of Karnataka.
Kantara made with thought of…
The filmmakers of the Kantara highlighted the significance of the ceremony and how it disturbs the community, stating that they created the films with the intention of properly depicting the custom.