In 2022, Kantara, a Kannada-language film developed on a ₹16 crore budget, shocked the Indian box office by generating over ₹450 crore globally and exceeding KGF 2 in cultural influence. But Kantara was more than just a movie; it was an emotional experience infused with faith, mythology, and fire. On October 2, 2025, Kantara Chapter 1, its spiritual precursor, will be released, challenging the boundaries of film and destiny.
The film is not a sequel—it’s a prequel. What we saw in Kantara (2022) was the second chapter of a larger divine saga. Now, Kantara Chapter 1 takes us back to the origin—the legend behind the legend—exploring the more profound truth of the deity that shook audiences across the country.
Rishab Shetty's Divine Obsession: A Film Born Out of Faith
Rishab Shetty, the writer, director, and lead actor in Kantara, has become synonymous with grounded, spiritual storytelling. His passion for Kantara Chapter 1 extends much beyond traditional filmmaking. He studied for a year in Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial art from Kerala, to embody the essence of the heavenly figure he plays.
He won the National Award for Best Actor for his first movie, which also won the Best Film award. But for Shetty, this was never about winning prizes. It was about surrendering to the character’s higher power, not just the persona. People who saw Kantara in theaters will remember how the audience acted like they were viewing something holy. And now that Kantara Chapter 1 is out, Shetty is going into an even riskier spiritual area. He isn’t just telling a story; he’s living it.
When filming for Kantara Chapter 1 began, rumors circulated that the movie was haunted. Cursed? Divinely blocked?
- A bus carrying 20 crew members flipped over on the way to the shoot in November 2024. Many people got hurt.
- Some people think the junior artist drowned off-set, although the timing was strange. It happened in May 2025 during shooting hours.
- In June 2025, just a month later, a boat with 30 crew members, including Shetty, overturned in the middle of the water. Everyone lived, but all of the equipment and footage inexplicably vanished.
- Between May and June, two healthy supporting actors had heart attacks and died.
- Local governments stopped shooting in the jungle and fined people for breaking environmental laws.
All of these events transpired within a matter of months, all linked to a single film. Is it just a coincidence? Or is Kantara Chapter 1 touching on something holy that doesn’t want to be seen? People who work on the movie refer to it as “India’s most cursed film“ in quiet voices. Despite Everything, the Divine Journey Continues. Against all odds, Rishab Shetty and his team have wrapped the shoot of Kantara Chapter 1. On Shetty’s birthday, a striking new poster revealed the official release date: October 2, 2025. The vision remains strong, despite accidents, tragedies, and spiritual warnings.
The size has also expanded significantly; the movie is said to have a budget of more than ₹100 crore, which is almost six times the budget of the first one. It will be available in multiple languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and English.
However, one thing is clear: the sequel is not a typical movie, regardless of the amount of money or celebrity it has. This project is rooted in faith, mythology, and concepts that transcend traditional film.
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