“Kantara: Chapter 1” delves into faith and spirituality inspired by the folklore of coastal Karnataka. Actor-director Rishab Shetty says his aim was not to promote any ideology but to narrate a story that reflects universal human emotions. Set in pre-colonial Karnataka, the Kannada film portrays the clash between forest-dwelling tribals and a despotic king. Released on October 2, it has earned ₹600 crore worldwide.
Shetty emphasized that his storytelling remains unbiased and rooted in India’s traditions of nature worship, stressing the film carries no political or ideological agenda. As a prelude to the 2022 hit “Kantara”, the new film explores deeper spiritual experiences rather than prescribing beliefs. He compared it to personal faith, saying spirituality is something to be felt, not imposed.
Discussing challenges, Shetty said creating the world of “Kantara: Chapter 1” was complex due to limited historical references. The team conducted extensive research and worked tirelessly on visuals, sets, and costumes inspired by temple art. Grateful to Hombale Films, he added that the Kantara universe holds many untold stories and revealed that his next project will be “Jai Hanuman.”