Jr. NTR calls Kantara Chapter 1 impossible without Rishab Shetty: ‘He dominates all the 24 crafts of cinema’

This film would not have been possible at this scale without him.

With Jr. NTR bringing both star power and poignant memories to the stage, Sunday's Telugu pre-release event for Kantara: Chapter 1 turned into an emotional evening. The actor was in full force, praising Rishab Shetty's vision and connecting with the audience on a personal level despite recuperating from an injury he sustained during an ad shoot.

A Trip Back in Time to Childhood

NTR started by going back to his origins and remembering how his childhood imagination had been influenced by his grandmother's stories from Kundapur. "I never imagined those stories would eventually be brought to life on a large screen. He remarked, "Rishab left me speechless when I watched Kantara: Chapter 1."

Respect for Rishab Shetty

Jr. NTR hailed Rishab's ability to be a "rare breed of actor-directors," praising his proficiency in all facets of filmmaking. “I always wondered which side of him dominated more – the actor or the filmmaker. But later I realised . If not for him, this film wouldn’t exist at this scale.” He added, "This film would not have been possible at this scale without him.”

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Visits to temples and special memories

The actor also related a very personal story about how Rishab made it possible for his mother to fulfill her lifelong dream of going to the Krishna temple in Udupi in 2024. They greeted us as if we were family. At that point, I saw firsthand the unfathomable amount of effort that went into Kantara: Chapter 1, NTR disclosed.

He also recalled wading through water to get to a temple close to Rishab's hometown. "There was no way. To shoot there, they made one. This project required that level of dedication," he continued.

Creating the Scene for a Motion Picture Extravaganza

The evening, which included Rukmini Vasanth, showcased not only the majesty of Kantara: Chapter 1 but also the respect and friendship amongst the biggest names in Indian cinema. The excitement for the movie's release has only grown as a result of Jr. NTR's moving speech.