Rishab Shetty, the man behind the cinematic phenomenon Kantara: Chapter 1, has reacted humbly to filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s high praise for the film. Varma recently lauded Shetty as a “pioneer of cinema,” calling Kantara a groundbreaking work that redefines storytelling in Indian cinema. Responding to the praise in an interview with Zoom, Shetty expressed heartfelt gratitude and humility.
“Main ek bachcha hu film industry main, wo itne bade legend hai… unka film praise karna ek bohot badi baat hai (I’m still a kid in the film industry, while he’s a legend. For him to praise Kantara is a huge honour),” Shetty said. He added that he has grown up watching Varma’s iconic films, and receiving direct appreciation from such a stalwart was overwhelming. Shetty also revealed that Varma personally called him after watching the film, overwhelmed with excitement.
“Wo film dekh ke excitement main unhone mujhe call kiya tha… mujhe kuch competition ya records ke baarein main nahi sochta (He called me out of excitement after watching the film. I don’t think about competition or records; what matters is the inspiration we get from legends like him),” Shetty shared, reinforcing his grounded approach despite the soaring success of his film.
*Kantara: Chapter 1*, which released worldwide on October 2, 2025, has been making waves both critically and commercially. The film explores the mystical origins of the land of Kantara, set in the 4th century AD. With a powerful mix of folklore, mythology, and spiritual themes, the movie immerses audiences in a tale of divine conflict, ancestral legacy, and the bond between man and nature.
The cast includes Rishab Shetty in the lead, alongside Sapthami Gowda, Gulshan Devaiah, Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and others, each contributing to the film’s grand narrative and emotional depth. Backed by a gripping screenplay, authentic visuals, and haunting music, Kantara: Chapter 1 has struck a deep chord with audiences across languages and regions.
The film has already amassed ₹427 crore globally in just six days and is rapidly nearing the ₹500 crore mark. With glowing word-of-mouth and packed theatres, trade analysts believe the film is well on track to touch ₹1000 crore worldwide—solidifying Rishab Shetty’s place among Indian cinema’s most visionary storytellers.
