Kantara Chapter 1 has continued its remarkable success, further establishing Rishab Shetty as a prominent actor, writer, and director in Pan-India cinema. With the film’s massive box office performance and cultural resonance, Shetty has positioned himself as a storyteller who connects India’s heritage with contemporary cinema. Crossing Rs 850 crore worldwide, the film demonstrates the audience’s strong connection to his vision. At IFFI 2025, Shetty shared insights into the inspiration behind his cinematic universe, explaining how his artistic foundation was shaped long before he began filmmaking.
Speaking after a special Yakshagana performance, Rishab Shetty emotionally traced his beginnings to this centuries-old art form. He shared, “My acting career started when I was in 6th standard, and it began with Yakshagana. So we people, especially those from the South, we know Ramayana and Mahabharata only because of Yakshagana. In Yakshagana, all our country’s… India’s ancient stories, sacred stories and mythology, all these stories are presented through Yakshagana for many years, like 500 years, and even today the artists perform the whole night. So their contribution to this art form is very very big and they are the true artists. And that is why, after I became a filmmaker, the thought of bringing such rooted stories into my films came only because of Yakshagana. And our South culture, our traditions… I wanted to tell the rooted stories of India. So I made a small effort.”
Through Kantara and Kantara Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty has established himself as a strong ambassador of Indian culture. His dedication to showcasing India’s traditions, mythologies, and spiritual heritage continues to shape his films. With each story, he highlights and preserves the cultural essence of Bharat, bringing these narratives to global audiences with authenticity and pride.
The post Rishab Shetty credits Yakshagana for his journey at IFFI 2025; says, “The thought of bringing rooted stories into my films came only because of Yakshagana” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
