The creators of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 have finally unveiled the highly anticipated trailer for the film. This Kannada masterpiece, both directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, is proudly produced by Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Films.
Set to captivate audiences, the much-hyped prequel will be released in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubbed versions, hitting cinemas on October 2, 2025. The new trailer offers a thrilling glimpse of Shetty as a fierce warrior, rising against a brutal king to defend villagers trapped under oppressive tyranny. It powerfully hints at his destiny as the divine protector, a figure foretold in ancient legends.
Rishab and his team have adopted a remarkably subtle promotional approach for this movie. Aside from an initial first-look video, the filmmakers opted against releasing a traditional teaser. Furthermore, the complete cast of the film remained a mystery until the recent trailer launch, adding to the intrigue. Alongside Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth takes on the role of Kanakavathi, and Bollywood star Gulshan Devaiah portrays Kulashekara in this compelling period drama.
Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 is expected to delve deep into the rich legacy of the Kadambas. Set against the stunning backdrop of coastal Karnataka, the movie is poised to explore the profound origins of the mythological traditions and ancestral conflicts that were central to the sensational 2022 blockbuster, Kantara.
The original Kantara resonated deeply with audiences, focusing on the powerful Bhuta Kola traditional form of worship practiced in coastal Karnataka. It also thoughtfully explored the intricate man-nature conflict. The first film starred Kishore, Achyuth Kumar, and Sapthami Gowda, and earned Rishab Shetty his well-deserved maiden National Award for his exceptional performance.
The talented music composer Ajaneesh Loknath and acclaimed cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, both integral to the success of the first Kantara, are back for the prequel. Pragathi Rishab Shetty handled the exquisite costume design. Adding another exciting layer, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh recently joined the film for a special song, promising a unique musical dimension.
The creators of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 are strategically relying on word-of-mouth publicity for this ambitious, big-budget production. An innovative move includes screening paid premiere shows of the movie in over 2500 theaters on October 1, a day before its official release. This strategy echoes the original Kantara‘s journey, which initially had quiet pre-release buzz before exploding into a social media sensation during its opening weekend, ultimately becoming a massive cinematic phenomenon.
Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 has also faced its share of unfortunate news during production. Mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju, a part of the film’s team, tragically passed away in June due to a heart attack. In May, actor and television personality Rakesh Poojary, who also has a role in the film, died at the age of 34 from cardiac arrest. A week prior to Rakesh’s death, a crew member from the movie drowned near Udupi, Karnataka. Additionally, a boat capsized in June in a reservoir during filming, though actor-director Rishab Shetty and 30 crew members thankfully escaped unharmed.