Rishab Shetty's film 'Kantara Chapter 1' is currently making waves at the box office. Upon its release, the film surpassed many major productions and has grossed over 600 crore rupees worldwide, securing its throne at the box office.
Entertainment News: When cinema and folklore converge, the visual and narrative magic on screen captivates audiences. Films based on folklore have often performed brilliantly at the box office. Rishab Shetty's film ‘Kantara Chapter 1’ has recently created a stir at the box office, grossing over 600 crore worldwide.
This film is a prequel to the 2022 release ‘Kantara’, depicting the story between the tribal warrior Bermay and the tyrannical Prince Kulasekhara of Bangara kingdom. The narrative begins approximately 1500 years ago in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka and is highly appreciated by audiences.
However, this is not the first time a folklore-inspired film has cast its spell on audiences in cinema. Many films before this have successfully blended folklore with modern cinema. Today, we are telling you about 7 such films that are based on folklore and are also available on OTT platforms.
1. Kantara
This Kannada-language film was released in 2022. The story revolves around a small village and the mythological tales of coastal Karnataka. The film depicts the story of a 150-year-old king who grants land to the villagers. When a forest officer comes to cut trees, the villagers stop him, believing that deities reside in the trees. This film can be watched on Netflix.
2. Anandabhadram
Released in 2005, this film tells the story of a village called Shivapuram. Anand returns to his ancestral village and wishes to enter the temple, but he encounters a sorcerer named Digambaran. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Riya Sen played the lead roles in this film. It is available on Jio Hotstar and ZEE5.
3. Tumbbad
Sohum Shah's film ‘Tumbbad’, released in 2018, made an instant impact. This film is based on the folklore of ‘Hastar’. It tells the story of a greedy man who knows Hastar grants gold and goes to that place risking his and his family's lives. This film can be watched on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Brahmayugam
Released in 2024, this film tells the story of a young folk singer named Thevan. He escapes slavery and seeks refuge in a mysterious and ruined mansion. The film is set in 17th-century Kerala and stars Mammootty in the lead role. It can be watched on SonyLiv.
5. Kumari
The 2022 film Kumari tells the story of Illimalai village. The main character arrives in the village after marriage and discovers that people there offer sacrifices for ancient traditions. This film is also available on Netflix.
6. Bulbbul
Set against the backdrop of 1881, this film tells the story of a young girl who spends her childhood days with her brother-in-law. She experiences hearing tales of witches and sorceresses, and when she grows up, similar murders occur in her village. This film can be watched on Netflix and ZEE5.
7. Churuli
Released in 2021, this film is the story of two undercover police officers. They get trapped in a jungle while searching for a mysterious man, where nothing is as it seems. This film can be watched on SonyLiv.
