Kantara star Rishab Shetty on how the film was not planned as a Pan-India release; Read more!

At the box office, this is the year of South movies. The south films have ruled the box office like never before with every new month. The hype has been generated over the Kannada film Kantara, which premiered on September 30. The movie has been in everyone's mouth, smashing records for several films and receiving nothing but praises. Kantara was made available in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi around the world about two weeks after the Kannada release. The versions that have been dubbed are also very successful. The maker and actor of the blockbuster, Rishab Shetty spoke on how Kantara was not planned as a Pan India film and about the shooting.

Rishab expressed his views about making more films that value our heritage and culture saying, “I had no idea how far Kantara would spread when I chose to create it. All I had to do was do what I needed to do. I was up in Keradi, the seaside community in Karnataka where the movie is situated. Since I was a young child, I have had this concept of the Daiva. This concept unites society as a whole and eliminates social inequity. I wished to investigate the strong connection between nature and man. We should all produce more movies that highlight previously unknown parts of our culture and tradition. Some films are occupied with mocking our culture and faith, rather than encouraging pride in being Hindu.”

Rishab on doing Kambala and Bhoota Kola dance

“I grew up with all of these ideas. I merely had to rely on my own imagination because I grew up in the area where the movie is set and the Daiva and Kambala cultures are things I am familiar with. Writing the movie wasn't at all challenging. On family-owned property, the Kambala race was filmed. It was challenging to film the two Bhoota Kola dances, though. I felt really uneasy due to the bulky outfit and makeup. However, once I started shooting, it was as though the gods had taken control. I can still recall fasting when I was filming because I wanted to keep the inner purity necessary to dance with such fervent commitment.”

Kantara to surpass KGF’s collection in the Telugu belt?

Celebrities from all over the nation praised Kantara, from Tollywood superstar Prabhas to Bollywood diva Shilpa Shetty. Kantara's box office performance has remained consistent in the meanwhile. The movie is reportedly closing in on exceeding KGF: Chapter 2's total lifetime Telugu box office revenues. Kantara has reportedly made Rs 16 crore at the box office so far, compared to KGF: Chapter 2's current Telugu belt total of Rs 24 crore. Trade analysts predict that the collection for the film starring Rishab Shetty would soon surpass that of the film starring Yash.