Director and actor Rishab Shetty celebrated the phenomenal success of his film, 'Kantara: Chapter 1,' which has become a massive pan-India blockbuster. Produced by the renowned Hombale Films, the film released on October 2nd and has won over audiences across all segments, achieving a staggering ₹509 crore global gross in its first week, setting a new benchmark at the box office.
In a press interaction, Rishab Shetty shared his gratitude and spoke about the film's journey.
Gratitude for Telugu Audiences & The Prequel’s Origin
Rishab Shetty extended his heartfelt thanks to the Telugu viewers for their support:
"Thank you very much to the Telugu audience. We received a truly incredible response. This film has been given a reception as grand as the first part, Kantara. I am grateful to everyone who supported my journey."
When asked if the idea for the prequel was planned from the start, he explained, "Yes, the idea was there even while making Kantara. Seeing the amazing response that Kantara received inspired us to start writing the script for the prequel."
Reviving Folk Tales: A Dream Fulfilled
Rishab Shetty acknowledged the praise for reviving folk narratives: "I am very happy that people are appreciating the revival of folk tales. We approached the story with great honesty, and the audience connected with it. India is a treasure trove of folk stories, and it is truly gratifying that this film's success is opening doors for more such narratives to come forward."
He shared his personal attachment, noting that Kantara is a story from his region. "I love doing folk stories. Kantara is a tale from my native place, and that’s why we chose to shoot in those locations. Making a film like Kantara was a huge challenge; every day felt like one while working on this complicated script."
He also expressed joy that the people of his village were involved in the filmmaking process, realizing a long-held dream of shooting in his hometown.
Team Contributions and Future Plans
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World Building: "Building the world for a film like Kantara is a massive process. We even established a dedicated studio in our region just for Kantara."
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Wife's Support: "I can never forget the support my wife gave this film. Her contribution as a costume designer helped us immensely."
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Co-Stars: He selected Rukmini Vasanth after watching her previous films. He also praised the performances of Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram, noting that everyone did complete justice to their characters.
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Directing vs. Acting: "My first preference is always direction. I do find satisfaction in acting, but direction is my primary focus."
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Ajaneesh's Music: "Ajaneesh's composition was very different for this film. He went to tribal areas and recorded the original scores there. His contribution is unforgettable."
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Bond with NTR: "NTR Garu is like a brother to me. He provided incredible support, and I will be indebted to him for life."
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Hombale Films: "The support Hombale Films gave this movie was extraordinary. They supported us not just as producers but personally and morally as well. The film turned out brilliantly because of their backing."
Currently, Rishab Shetty is working on 'Jai Hanuman,' and while he has other ideas, they will require more time.
