Rishab Shetty recently met with the media in Bengaluru to discuss ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’, his highly anticipated prequel. Despite the buzz, the cast and crew have remained incredibly secretive, keeping the three-year filming journey under tight wraps. He seemed to carry a palpable nervous energy, perhaps reflecting the weight of expectations surrounding this monumental project.
Shetty shared his feelings about returning to the bustling city: “As I reached the city, it felt like the times when I first arrived in Bengaluru more than a decade ago.” This sentiment underscored the deep immersion he experienced for three years in Kundapura, a serene coastal town in Karnataka nestled amidst the majestic Western Ghats, where the world of ‘Kantara’ truly came alive.
A behind-the-scenes video for ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ has already hinted at how Rishab Shetty is bringing his ambitious dream project to life.
The upcoming week marks a significant milestone for Rishab. As a director with five films under his belt, he’d never experienced the immense pressure of living up to a previous success until ‘Kantara’ exploded in 2022. Initially perceived as a promising Kannada film for local audiences, it unexpectedly soared to pan-Indian blockbuster status through overwhelming word-of-mouth praise.
Now, anticipation for the prequel has reached stratospheric levels, not only within Kannada cinema (Sandalwood) but across the entire Indian film industry. Shetty admitted, “I am relieved” to have finally wrapped up what he describes as his most ambitious project to date. The sheer scale of the film has clearly taken a toll, leaving him visibly exhausted.
“I am tired and finding it difficult to gather words to describe this journey. Usually, I am composed and mentally strong,” shared the actor-director, who had just concluded the demanding post-production phase. Yet, as he engaged with the press, his characteristic calm and wit gradually returned. He added, “I am somebody who doesn’t burden myself by worrying about my movie’s result. I am curious to see how people will respond to my film. That’s my state of mind after every project.”
Shetty consciously kept plot details under wraps, emphasizing the immense responsibility of delivering the film by October 2nd, as promised to producer Vijay Kiragandur. He recounted the grueling schedule: “In recent times, we worked for 30-40 hours at a stretch. We slept for maybe just one or two hours a day. I thank my direction, writing, and DOP teams,” highlighting the dedication required for this ambitious endeavor.
The trailer for ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ showcases Rishab as a fierce warrior battling a tyrannical king to liberate his village. This prequel is expected to explore the profound origins of the mythological traditions and ancestral conflicts introduced in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Kantara’. The original film memorably delved into the Bhoota Kola ritualistic worship of coastal Karnataka and the complex relationship between humanity and nature.
The official Rishab Shetty Twitter account recently shared a message announcing the trailer’s release, describing the film as “A saga of folklore, faith, and fire, born from our soil 🔥.” The post urged audiences to “Witness the divine spectacle in theatres worldwide on October 2nd, 2025.”
A highlight of the trailer is Rishab’s intense action sequences, which left action choreographer Arjun Raj impressed. Raj stated, “No hero from the Kannada film industry has done such risky stunts.” He further praised Shetty’s dedication: “After trying a dangerous sequence, I would request him for another shot as I wouldn’t be fully satisfied. Any other hero apart from Rishab sir would have refused to try again. He was always up for improvisation.”
The production also faced unfortunate circumstances, with three crew members passing away in 2024. Although these deaths did not occur during filming, there was a sense of persistent bad luck surrounding the project. Rishab himself revealed, “What happened was extremely unfortunate. In fact, I faced four near-death situations during the shoot.” He expressed profound gratitude to the ‘daiva’ (divine spirit) for guiding him through these challenging times and helping him complete this ambitious film. “We owe it to the divine spirit for helping us sail through tough times,” he concluded.
Shetty extended praise to cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, whose breathtaking visuals are a standout feature of the prequel’s trailer. He recounted their long-standing professional relationship: “I featured in a small role in ‘Lucia’ (2013), for which Arvind was an assistant director. He was a drone operator for my directorial debut, ‘Ricky’ (2016). He was the cinematographer for ‘Bell Bottom’ (2019), where I played the lead.” He concluded, “Our friendship goes a long way, and he is a smart technician who elevates my ideas.”
The genesis of this grand project traces back to a 2020 phone call where Rishab pitched the one-liner for ‘Kantara’ to producer Vijay Kiragandur. Reflecting on the journey, Shetty expressed gratitude for a producer who granted him complete creative freedom to build a successful franchise. “Now, we are just waiting to show our movie to our people on October 2. We won’t talk more about it — it’s for them to see and give the verdict,” he stated, poised to face what he considers the greatest challenge of his career.
The official trailer for ‘Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1’ can be viewed on YouTube, offering a glimpse into the visually stunning and action-packed prequel.