Actor whose two successive films earned over Rs 700 cr shifted to native village, children were born and raised there

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Rishab Shetty, in one of the promotional interviews for the now-running prequel Kantara: Chapter 1, opened up about the challenges of writing, directing, and starring in such a mammoth production with your family away in the city. The film, which won big at the 70th National Film Awards, bagged the Best Actor Award for Rishab and the Best Popular Film award. Rishabh, as per an interview with ETV Bharat, confessed to the right schedule of the second installment. “After the release, the National Award, and the 100-day celebration of Kantara, we would return to the village and start shooting again,” he said.

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His family, consisting of his wife Pragati Shetty and his two children Ranvit and Raadya, has been as much a part of the three-year production history of Kantara: Chapter 1 as any of the crew members. Rishab, who moved entire teams of writers, technicians, and producing crew to the remote village of Kundapura, where the massive sets were being erected for the sequel, also moved his family from the hassle of Bangalore City to the coastal town of Kundapura. Rishabh remembers, “I knew that things would not work out with me here, separated from my family for this long. So we brought my family here and got the kids admission in the schools near Kundapura. My kids were born in that village only, where we shot Kantara. Now they are going to the school in the village. So that is the journey.”

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Rishabh, who is also the major creative force behind the blockbuster Kantara franchise, views his responsibility towards his family and the film with equal reverence. Rishab adds, “It’s been five years now. My family, my kids, my friends who are part of the film… we are all living in the world of Kantara in my village”. Rishab also opened up about his wife’s support and what his plans are for his kids’ education, now that the film is finally here. “I could not have done without her support. Praghati helped me get through this arduous journey. Now that the film is here, we will have to decide by next March if we are continuing the kids’ education here or taking them back to Bangalore.” 

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According to trade tracker Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 has already crossed the Rs. 223 crore mark from the domestic market after its first weekend and has been praised for its imaginative spin on the myth from the first film, with unmatched scale and spectacle.

At a press event for Kantara Chapter 1, he also spoke about , “I used to be an office boy at a production house in Andheri West and a producer’s driver. So you can imagine what cinema can do. I never even thought that making one film would bring me so much reputation, love, and blessings. While eating vada pav on the road near that production house, I could never have imagined I would come this far. I am extremely grateful.”

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