Loved Kantara: Chapter 1? Here are 7 Films You Must Watch Next!
7 Indian folklore-based movies like Kantara: Chapter 1 with suspenseful narratives
Mumbai, Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Rishab Shetty’s latest movie, Kantara: Chapter 1, has been a massive hit. The film’s grand story about folklore, gods, and the fight for the forest has touched many hearts across India. It showed us the power of local culture and traditions.
If you loved the spiritual depth, intense action, and mythological story of Kantara: Chapter 1, you might be looking for similar movies. We have made a list of 7 must-watch Indian films. These films also deal with mythology, folk tales, and deep human drama. Get ready to watch more epic stories!
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1. Tumbbad (Hindi, 2018)

This film is often called a masterpiece. It mixes horror with folk fantasy. Tumbbad tells the story of greed and its terrible cost. The movie is set in a rain-soaked village in Maharashtra. It is about a secret shrine and a forgotten god named Hastar.
Why you will love it: Just like Kantara, this film uses mythology to talk about human nature. It is dark and very atmospheric. It makes you think about morals and curses. The visual style is also stunning and unique.
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2. Lokah Chapter One: Chandra (Malayalam, 2025)

This is a new and exciting film. It brings a superhero story with a deep mythological base. The main character, Chandra, has mystic powers. She lives in Karnataka. The film is full of intense action and high drama.
Why you will love it: This movie has the same mystical power as Kantara. It mixes traditional Indian faith with modern filmmaking. It is grand and talks about fate and divine power.
3. Hanu-Man (Telugu, 2024)

This film takes Indian mythology and turns it into a superhero movie. A young man gets amazing powers and fights a big enemy. It is a full-on entertainer.
Why you will love it: If you enjoy the blend of the divine and the fight between good and evil, this film is for you. It shares Kantara‘s mythical tone. It is a great example of how old stories can be told in a new, exciting way.
4. Bulbbul (Hindi, 2020)

Bulbbul is a beautiful folk-horror movie. It is set in 19th-century Bengal. The story revolves around a young woman who grows up to be the mistress of her household. But a sinister secret and a chudail (witch) legend hide in the shadows.
Why you will love it: This film has a very strong female character. It uses folklore and the supernatural to talk about social issues. The movie’s visuals are rich and colorful, much like the mood and depth in Kantara.
5. Arundhati (Telugu, 2009)

This is one of the most popular horror-fantasy movies in South India. It stars Anushka Shetty as the powerful princess Arundhati. She fights against an evil, possessed villain. The film is full of rituals and reincarnation.
Why you will love it: The scale of the movie is huge. It has powerful ritualistic scenes and a strong sense of divine fury. The intense action and supernatural themes feel very close to the core of Kantara‘s story.
6. Pulimurugan (Malayalam, 2016)

This movie stars the superstar Mohanlal. The story is about a man who lives in the forest and has a special connection with nature. He fights to protect his home from a ferocious tiger. The film shows the bond between man and the wild.
Why you will love it: Like Kantara, this film respects nature’s power and rage. The tiger is not just an animal; it is a symbol of the forest’s balance. It is a very raw and primal story, focusing on a man’s fight for his land and people.
7. Churuli (Malayalam, 2021)

This movie is very unique and a bit strange. It is a mystery that blends folk myths and a strange, almost magical reality. Two police officers go into a mysterious village called Churuli. They get lost in a world where things are not as they seem.
Why you will love it: It is a folk horror film that is different and challenging. It explores a local myth and a sense of growing dread. It is like a messier, more complex cousin of Kantara. It will surprise you with its story and strange mood.
These films will keep the spirit of Kantara: Chapter 1 alive for you. They all use India’s rich tales and traditions to tell powerful, modern stories. They prove that our folklore has endless cinema potential.
Which of these folk-fantasy films will you watch first?






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