Rishab Shetty's highly anticipated 'Kantara: Chapter 1' has faced several challenges during production, including a tragic accident on set. Despite these hurdles, the film is on track for its theatrical release on October 2, 2025, with the team entering the final leg of production.
Key Challenges and Setbacks:
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Tragic Accident: The production was rocked by the unfortunate drowning of MF Kapil, a junior artiste, in the Kollur Souparnika River during a break from shooting. Despite immediate rescue efforts, Kapil's body was found later the same evening. This added to the already tense atmosphere on set.
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Other Mishaps: Earlier, a bus carrying junior artistes overturned in Kollur, though fortunately, no injuries occurred. The crew also faced setbacks from nature, with a massive set built for the film being destroyed due to unexpected wind and rain. Additionally, the forest department scrutinized the production for allegedly disturbing the local environment.
Final Leg of Production:
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The final shooting schedule began on May 7, at a location 20 km from Kundapur, Karnataka. The production team, led by Rishab Shetty, is pushing through these obstacles to ensure the prequel to the 2022 hit 'Kantara' is a cinematic experience to remember.
High-Scale War Sequence:
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One of the highlights of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' is its massive war sequence, which involves over 500 trained fighters and 3,000 extras. This combat sequence has been choreographed with help from national and international specialists, aiming to compete with the best war scenes in global cinema. To bring authenticity to his role, Rishab Shetty underwent three months of intensive training, learning horse riding, Kalaripayattu, and sword fighting.
The Big Picture:
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'Kantara: Chapter 1' is set during the reign of the Kadambas of Banavasi and features a star-studded cast including Rishab Shetty, Jayaram, Kishore, and Jayasurya. The film, produced by Hombale Films, is set to be a big-budget prequel to the original 'Kantara', which was a huge success in 2022.
