Kantara: Chapter 1: Rishab Shetty gives a sneak peek into the most-awaited film as he announces wrap of shoot

Kantara: Chapter 1

After the surprising pan-India success of Kantara in 2022, which started out as a small Kannada-language movie but ended up earning about $50 million worldwide, Hombale Films is now building on its success with Kantara: Chapter 1.

Rishab Shetty, the original's creative force, is back as the film's star, writer, and director for the prequel.

In an exclusive interview with Variety, producer Vijay Kiragandur disclosed that the studio has made its largest creative leap to date by constructing a whole studio to accommodate the project's scope and artistic aspirations.

Kiragandur stated, "The idea was born out of creative necessity," citing the inability of Karnataka's current facilities to house the elaborate palace sets they had in mind.

"What began as a single studio floor developed into a complete production facility."

The scale of the movie and the crew's steadfast dedication to artistic control are reflected in this infrastructure expansion, which goes beyond simple logistics. "We had freedom, cost-effectiveness, and most importantly, peace of mind for Rishab to realize his uncompromising vision because we owned the studio," Kiragandur continued.

Wrap Up… The Journey Begins ❤️‍🔥 Presenting #WorldOfKantara ~ A Glimpse into the making.https://t.co/9e7l9OTS47 Head to Settings -> Audio Track -> Select your language of choice.#KantaraChapter1 has been a divine journey, deeply rooted in our culture, brought to life with… pic.twitter.com/ThCezIrwi9

— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) July 21, 2025

Kantara: Chapter 1 elevates its storytelling canvas by delving deeper into spiritual and mythological themes than the original movie, which was produced on a modest $1.96 million budget.

The first movie's spiritual undertones struck a deep chord with viewers. This time, we were guided by that resonance," the producer said.

Hombale Films has strategically put other significant pan-India projects on hold to devote all of its attention to Kantara: Chapter 1.

"Kantara came first, even though we're working on Salaar: Part 2 - Shouryaanga Parvam and other movies. We think you should give it your all," Kiragandur underlined.

With hits like Salaar and KGF: Chapters 1 & 2, Hombale Films has established itself as a leading force in Indian cinema. However, the objective of Kantara is cultural preservation rather than box office supremacy. "We believe that the film addresses important issues in today's world, such as land ownership and nature conservation," Kiragandur said.

He also talked about the fine line that separates commercial appeal from cultural authenticity. "Cultural heritage is a guide, not a burden. We think the audience will sense that sincerity if we stay loyal to the story's emotions, characters, and origins," he said.

Rishab Shetty, whose commitment to all aspects of filmmaking has been essential, is a living example of that sincerity. He has an unrivalled work ethic and creative vision. He's the heart and soul of this movie, not just our actor and director," Kiragandur said.

For Hombale, Kantara: Chapter 1 is ultimately a mission rather than merely a movie. "We don't intend to produce a local movie. It's an Indian tale. Kiragandur concluded, "We see that as our biggest strength—there is so much unexplored heritage in our country that doesn't follow a Western format."

Kantara: Chapter 1 is currently in production and is expected to be a landmark film for Indian storytelling, as well as for Kannada cinema.