Exclusive: Rishab Shetty Opens Up About Future Of Kantara Universe

Kannada star Rishab Shetty has done it yet again. After delivering a massive pan-India blockbuster with the 2022 fantasy drama, Kantara, the National Award-winning actor-director has scored yet another hit with the film’s prequel, Kantara Chapter 1. The prequel has nearly reached the 500-crore milestone.

In an exclusive interview with Gulte Pro during his promotional tour in New Delhi, Rishab Shetty opened up about the fascinating world of Kantara. “I delved deep into this world ever since I made Kantara. This world is not new to me, and I’ve known it since my childhood. The Daiva whom we worship has been connected to me and my family since my childhood. The prardhana (Kola) embodies all the stories about the Daiva in itself. These stories narrate the divine power and the Maya Loka,” said the passionate filmmaker.

Elaborating further, Rishab added, “The ideas, characters, and humour should evoke the feeling of the Maya Loka. It’s like our Ajji Kathe (Grandmother’s fairy tale). The real story begins from there. Chapter 1 is the most complicated script. It was very difficult to convey it to the people. The characters in the prequel are the ancestors of the characters we established in the first part. The connection will extend further as I bring in more stories.”

When asked about the mythical well that he has established in the franchise and how long the franchise would continue, Rishab candidly admitted that he doesn’t know and that he is just going with the flow. “We didn’t find a clear start or end for these stories. We really don’t know how long this will continue,” he quipped with a hint of intrigue. 

During the conversation, Rishab also expressed his fondness for the Telugu language and its people. With a smile, he said, “If I start speaking slowly, I can pick up the Telugu language. Anyway, I have a lot of Telugu-speaking friends, so I’ll learn it soon.” His ease and connection with the Telugu audience clearly show how naturally he embraces every culture he interacts with.