Copyright news18
After the phenomenal success of Kantara Chapter 1, which grossed over Rs 852 crore worldwide, Rishab Shetty has caught everyone’s attention. His cinematic brilliance and rooted storytelling have positioned him as a breakthrough performer, blending divinity, folklore, and human emotion into one unforgettable cinematic experience. However, why did Rishab want to take the route of folklore? The filmmaker-actor recently answered. Speaking about his creative journey, Rishab Shetty shared, “Kantara is not done just for money. If I had taken other offers, I would have avoided risk and even given more time to my school-going kids. But I did Kantara Chapter 1 because of divine intervention.” He explained, “Be it Kannadigas taking Kantara to another level, and when audiences, cutting across linguistic and cultural differences, spoke so much about the film, I knew I had to finish this story, and give it justice by doing the prequel.” He also reflected on his evolving journey as an artist, “Honestly, I didn’t want to take on any project until I completed Kantara Chapter 1. But I am glad such roles have come my way. But I do want to break it, and do a Sarkari-type film too. As an actor or filmmaker, I can’t stick to one style.” Rishab Shetty said, “I want to explore diverse roles. Films like Jai Hanuman came searching for me. In fact, they chased me all the way to Kundapura. I didn’t have a reason to reject it. Since I have an interest in mythology, Yakshagana, and history, such characters attracted me.” From Kantara’s divine narrative to his upcoming mythological epic Jai Hanuman, Rishab Shetty continues to bridge cinema with culture, proving that storytelling grounded in tradition can transcend boundaries and unite audiences across India and beyond. Meanwhile, in a significant box-office shakeup, Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, has officially surpassed Vicky Kaushal’s Chhaava to claim the title of the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025. According to trade trackers, the mythological-action epic has edged past Chhaava’s lifetime total of around Rs 807 crore. Released in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, Kantara: Chapter 1 has transcended linguistic barriers to capture audiences across India and beyond. Kantara: Chapter 1 is the prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, exploring the origins of the divine forest and the Daivas. The story is set in the 4th century and focuses on the conflict between a tribal leader, Berme (Rishab Shetty), and the encroaching Kadamba kingdom, which is vying for control of the resource-rich land. The film was released in theatres on October 2 and is still enjoying a good run. Produced by Hombale Films, the movie also featured Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram and Gulshan Devaiah in key roles.
