Jr NTR Says Kantara Chapter 1 Was ‘Humanly Impossible’ Without Rishab Shetty: 'It's Not Easy'

With just days left for Kantara Chapter 1 to hit theatres, excitement around the prequel is at its peak. At a special pre-release event, Jr NTR joined the cast and crew to celebrate the film and took the stage

to laud Rishab Shetty’s sheer dedication. The superstar revealed just how much effort went into creating the mystical world of the much-anticipated saga.

Jr NTR on Rishab Shetty’s effort

Jr NTR recalled being struck by Rishab’s commitment during the shoot. “I got the opportunity to see firsthand how hard he worked to make Kantara Chapter 1. It is not easy to make Kantara Chapter 1. You must have seen it on social media. He took me to a temple near his hometown, where you have to wade through water to reach it,” he said.

He added, “There’s no path to go to the temple there, they made one because they put up a set up there to shoot. It’s humanly impossible. If it was not for Rishab sir, if it was not for the team that he believed it, I really don’t think anything would’ve been possible for Kantara Chapter 1.”

What to expect from the prequel

When Kantara released in 2022, it became a cultural phenomenon, earning Rs 407.82 crore worldwide and winning Rishab Shetty the National Award for Best Actor. The upcoming prequel is set in pre-colonial Karnataka and will trace the ancient roots of the Bhoota Kola ritual, deepening the folklore that struck a chord with audiences in the first part.

The cast and crew

Alongside Rishab, the film features Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram and Rakesh Poojari in pivotal roles. Produced by Hombale Films, the screenplay has been co-written by Rishab Shetty, Anirudh Mahesh and Shanil Guru. The music is by B Ajaneesh Loknath, who also composed for the original hit.

Release date

Kantara: Chapter 1 is scheduled for release on 2 October, coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti and Dussehra holidays. With Jr NTR’s words of praise and soaring fan expectations, the film is tipped to be one of the biggest releases of the year.