Some viewers on social media claim that parts of Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 resemble the Velpari novel. They believe Rishabh Shetty drew inspiration from the novel while shaping certain sequences in the film. This has created sharp discussions online. In the middle of this, Trollers began targeting director Shankar. They argue he is already struggling after two back-to-back flops, Indian 2 and Game Changer. Since he holds the rights to the Velpari novel, they feel he might be upset if the film really borrowed from it. Some even suggest Shankar should act against the Kantara team, as he has yet to announce his next project. On the other hand, many argue that Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 is Rishabh Shetty’s original work with historical elements, and not an adaptation of the Velpari novel. So far, there is no official confirmation linking Kantara: A Legend-Chapter 1 to the Velpari novel. The claims remain pure social media speculation. Still, the debate has triggered wide reactions online, with audiences divided over the film’s originality.
Audiences couldn’t help comparing Kantara 1 with Bollywood’s big banners. They pointed out how films like War 2, reportedly made on a Rs 300–400 crore budget, lacked strong VFX, story depth, and cinematic emotion. In contrast, Kantara: Chapter 1 achieved more with less. Its sincerity, artistry, and grounded approach won over audiences, making it a reminder that passion and purpose matter more than inflated budget
