Examining (in)justice, environmental activism and indigenous knowledge systems in the Indian film Kantara (Mystical Forest)

The acquisition of knowledge encompasses various dimensions that should be consolidated to facilitate a comprehensive and holistic advancement of its trajectory. In this context, the article explores the film Kantara: A Legend (Shetty in Kantara: a legend [film], Hombale Films, 2022), a Kannada-language production from India and its significance in highlighting the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, local customs, demigods and the sacredness attributed to the forest. The article explicates the marginalization of these knowledge systems and the community’s vulnerability to epistemic and environmental injustices. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of the sacredness of their land and the community’s engagement in activism. The study concludes by examining how a film such as Kantara serves as a means to disseminate the notion of environmental activism to a wide audience.