In one of the year’s most anticipated releases, Rishab Shetty’s prequel to the blockbuster Kantara, titled Kantara Chapter 1, is all set for a grand theatrical release on October 2. Expectations are sky-high for the film, especially after the original Kantara (2022) was a critical and commercial phenomenon, grossing ₹407.82 crore worldwide and earning Rishab Shetty the National Award for Best Actor.
At a mega pre-release event, the cast and crew were joined by Telugu star Jr NTR, who took the stage to praise Rishab Shetty’s immense dedication to the project.
Jr NTR on Rishab Shetty’s Hard Work
Jr NTR revealed he witnessed firsthand the extraordinary efforts required to bring the mythological epic to life. He emphasized that making Kantara Chapter 1 was “not easy” and recounted a specific instance that highlighted the impossible nature of the shoot:
“I got the opportunity to see firsthand how hard he worked to make Kantara Chapter 1. It is not easy to make Kantara Chapter 1… He took me to a temple near his hometown, where you have to wade through water to reach it.”
Jr NTR further explained the extreme measures the crew took for filming:
“There’s no path to go to the temple there, they made one because they put up a set up there to shoot. It’s humanly impossible. If it was not for Rishabh sir, if it was not for the team that he believed it, I really don’t think anything would’ve been possible for Kantara Chapter 1.”
Rishab Shetty, who is both directing and starring in the film, had previously revealed his commitment to authenticity, including not eating non-vegetarian food or wearing footwear while shooting the Bhuta Kola portions of the film.
About Kantara Chapter 1
The upcoming film is a prequel, diving deeper into the origins of the story and the mystical lore introduced in the first part.
- Plot: Set in pre-colonial Karnataka, the film is expected to explore the ancient roots and origins of the sacred Bhuta Kola ritual, which was central to the original film. The story is reportedly set during the reign of the Kadamba dynasty in 300 CE, exploring the conflict between tribals and a tyrannical king.
- Cast and Crew: Rishab Shetty reprises his lead role. The film also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, and Rakesh Poojari (the late actor). B. Ajaneesh Loknath returns to compose the music, continuing his critically acclaimed work from the first part.
Kantara Chapter 1 is slated for a pan-India release in multiple languages on October 2.