A rooted Indian story making global noise? Vivek Oberoi is clearly here for it. As Kantara: Chapter 1 finds a place on the Oscars’ eligibility list, the actor has given a loud shout-out to Rishab Shetty
and the film that took folk tradition from the soil of Tulunad to the world stage.
The Academy recently released the list of feature films eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. A total of 317 films have made the cut this year, with 201 titles qualifying in the Best Picture category. Among them are four Indian films — Kantara: Chapter 1, Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great, M. Sasikumar’s Tourist Family, and the animated epic Mahavatar Narasimha.
Reacting to Kantara: Chapter 1 being part of the Best Picture race, Vivek Oberoi took to X to congratulate Rishab Shetty and the team. Sharing an emotional note, he wrote, “What was once a sacred ritual, guarded by the ancient spirits of Tulunad, has now erupted into a global inferno. Bhuta Kola has transcended borders, shattering the silence to become a worldwide phenomenon.”
What was once a sacred ritual, guarded by the ancient spirits of Tulunad, has now erupted into a global inferno. Bhuta Kola has transcended borders, shattering the silence to become a worldwide phenomenon.
Massive congratulations, my brother @shetty_rishab on qualifying for the… https://t.co/s17gsphCME— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) January 10, 2026
He further added, “Massive congratulations, my brother @shetty_rishab on qualifying for the Best Picture race at the 98th Academy Awards! This isn’t just a nomination; it is the roar of our ancestors echoing on the world’s most prestigious stage. You have carried the raw, beating heart of Bharat into the global spotlight. The soil of our land now claims its place in cinematic history. Oscars ni intiki teeskostunnam!”
Kantara: Chapter 1 has also made a strong mark at the box office. The film is currently the second highest-grossing Indian release of 2025, surpassing Chhaava, which had earned ₹807 crore. Kantara: Chapter 1 has collected ₹813 crore worldwide within just 25 days of its release.
Directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, the film serves as a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, which introduced audiences to the Tulu tradition of Daiva Kola or Bhuta Kola. Set in pre-colonial India, the story follows a tribal man named Berme, played by Shetty, as he takes on the region’s aristocracy in a fight for the dignity and rights of his people.
The film also features Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram in key roles and is produced by Hombale Films.
