Rishab Shetty, the acclaimed actor-director behind the Kantara franchise, has made an emotional revelation about the dangers faced during the filming of Kantara: Chapter 1. In a recent interview, he shared that he narrowly escaped death multiple times while shooting the film. “I could have died three or four times,” he said, highlighting the intense and risky nature of the production.
One of the most alarming incidents occurred during a boat sequence shot at Mani reservoir in Shivamogga district. Rishab and over 30 crew members were aboard when the boat capsized unexpectedly. Though everyone escaped unharmed, expensive camera equipment was lost in the water. The shallow depth of the reservoir helped prevent a major tragedy, but the incident left the team shaken.
This wasn’t the only tragedy to strike the production. Earlier in June, junior artist M.F. Kapil drowned in the Souparnika River near Kollur. Later, two other crew members—Kalabhavan Niju and Rakesh Poojari—died of heart attacks during the shoot. These back-to-back losses have cast a shadow over the film’s journey and raised concerns about safety protocols in high-risk shoots.
Despite the setbacks, Rishab Shetty and the team have continued filming with renewed caution. Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for release on October 2, 2025. The film explores the mythological origins of the Panjurli Daiva and promises to be a visually rich and emotionally powerful experience. Rishab’s resilience and dedication have only deepened fans’ anticipation for this cinematic spectacle.