Rishab Shetty, the acclaimed director and actor behind the highly anticipated Kantara Chapter 1, found himself at the center of a heated language debate recently during an event in Hyderabad. The controversy unfolded after a promotional event in Hyderabad where Rishab Shetty interacted with the audience in Kannada, leaving many Telugu fans disappointed.
Social media erupted with criticism, and hashtags such as #BoycottKantaraChapter1 began trending as fans expressed their displeasure over feeling alienated at a major pre-release gathering. The situation was further amplified by the presence of Telugu superstar Jr. NTR at the event, making Rishab Shetty’s language choice even more conspicuous.
Rishab’s response
Addressing the criticism at a subsequent pre-release event in Vijayawada, Rishab acknowledged the concerns and sought to clarify his intentions. “Telugu people and Kannada people are brothers. Next time I come for Jai Hanuman promotions, I will speak in proper Telugu,” he said.
Rishab Shetty went on to reveal that he has been actively learning Telugu in order to better connect with audiences across linguistic regions.
“I’ve always kept the Kannada language close to my heart. After doing numerous interviews, I’ve made an effort to improve my language skills. I genuinely believe that speaking the local language shows respect to the people, and I try my best. But at times, it becomes challenging, as speaking one language in one region might seem like I’m ignoring others,” he explained.
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), Shetty expressed gratitude to audiences while stressing his efforts to respect every linguistic group. He emphasized, “India may have many languages, cultures, and beliefs, but the underlying values remain the same. Wherever I go, I enjoy learning the local language and always strive to do so even with languages I’m not yet fluent in.”
The controversy touches on a recurring tension in pan-India cinema, balancing regional pride with inclusivity. As more films are marketed across states and languages, stars are often expected to navigate local sensitivities. Shetty’s words reflect the complexity of this dynamic, where attempts to honor one language risk being interpreted as slighting another.
Despite the backlash, Shetty’s conciliatory tone and promise to engage more in Telugu may soften criticism. His decision to publicly acknowledge the issue demonstrates an awareness of the cultural expectations placed on pan-India filmmakers.
Set during the Kadamba dynasty in Karnataka, Kantara Chapter 1 delves into the region’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. The film promises grand visuals, including one of Indian cinema’s most massive action sequences, involving over 500 fighters and 3,000 people across a sprawling 25-acre rugged landscape.
Featuring Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah alongside Shetty, the film is set for worldwide release on October 2. True to its ambition of being a pan-India spectacle, it will be released in multiple languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English.
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