His entry into the Kannada film industry was as modest as any outsider’s, but the impact he has made has turned him into a phenomenon. A key member of the celebrated wave of movie-makers from Dakshina Kannada region, Rishab Shetty has redefined Kannada cinema.

From his powerful storytelling and distinctive screenplays in films like Kirik Party, Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, Kantara and Kantara – Chapter 1, he now stands among the elite actors of Sandalwood who can not only write, produce and act but also direct the movies!

His latest offering, Kantara – Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, has taken the country by storm, captivating audiences across all the languages in which it has been released.

Star of Mysore caught up with Rishab Shetty for a brief conversation during his visit to Mysuru at Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza yesterday. Excerpts…

Star of Mysore (SOM): What is your reaction to Kantara – Chapter 1 becoming a blockbuster?

Rishab Shetty: I’ve always believed that instead of us talking about our success, it’s the people who should speak through their appreciation. Both Kantara films have been embraced with immense love, and the response from Kannadigas, in particular, has been phenomenal — more so than from audiences elsewhere. We make films for our people to enjoy, and seeing them connect so deeply makes me genuinely happy.

SOM: Did you decide on Kantara- Chapter 1 after the success of Kantara, or was it planned earlier?

Rishab Shetty: The idea of doing a prequel existed right from the beginning. While writing Kantara, we unearthed several backstories that had strong potential for another narrative. When you’re making a film like Kantara, it automatically puts you in a research mode, and during that process, we stumbled upon layers of stories that evolved into Kantara – Chapter 1. So, it wasn’t just an afterthought following the sequel’s success.

SOM: When comparing Kantara and Kantara – Chapter 1, there seems to be a significant difference in film-making. What was the thought process behind that?

Rishab Shetty: We learn something new from each project — each movie becomes a study material of sorts. Naturally, there’s always a desire among film-makers and technicians to enhance the technical and visual experience with every project. We aimed to evolve with Kantara – Chapter 1, both technically and creatively, while staying true to the story.

SOM: What was the thought behind selecting a new lead actress for the movie?

Rishab Shetty: It’s hard to single out one character, as every role in a film holds importance. We always try to encourage new talent, especially from our surroundings, as it helps bring authenticity to the characters on screen.

In Kantara – Chapter 1, we have actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth and Jayaram Subramaniam in prominent roles, alongside Bala Rajawadi, Mangala and others from a strong theatre background who have contributed immensely to the film’s depth and performance quality.

SOM: The dialogues in the movie are in a different Kannada dialect. How did the actors — especially those not belonging to the region — adapt to it?

Rishab Shetty: Many actors in the film weren’t familiar with the dialect, including Rukmini Vasanth and a few others. To help them, we conducted special language workshops. Since most of them come from a theatre background, they grasped it quickly. I believe that in any art form, one must remain a student — always learning — to deliver authentic performances.

SOM: In Kantara – Chapter 1, you’ve portrayed ‘Nandi’ differently. What was the idea behind that?

Rishab Shetty: That aspect has been slightly misunderstood by a few people. The concept we’ve depicted is actually that of the ‘Brahma Rakshasa’ not ‘Nandi’. ‘Nandi’, whom we worship, is entirely different and sacred. What we’ve shown is a creative representation of a demonic force — something that exists in various mythological narratives.

SOM: The movie also showcases different forms of ‘Guliga Daivas.’ How did you approach adapting to such intense characters?

Rishab Shetty: I prefer not to explain too much about the ‘Daivas’ because it’s something that should remain an experience for the audience. My intention was to bring the rich folklore of undivided Dakshina Kannada to the screen and give viewers a powerful and immersive cinematic journey.

SOM: Do you enjoy directing or acting more? And could you share something about your next project?

Rishab Shetty: Direction has always been my first love. As for what’s next, I can only say for now that my upcoming project is Jai Hanuman.