Rishab Shetty, who took Kannada cinema by storm with his hit film Kantara, is set to return with the prequel Kantara Chapter 1, slated for release on October 2, 2025. However, ahead of the film’s release, the movie has stirred controversy, with accusations of environmental damage.
The film is being shot in the forested area of Gavigudda in Heruru village, Karnataka, and local villagers have expressed outrage over the alleged harm caused to the environment during production. According to reports, the crew has been accused of using explosives on set, which locals claim is causing disruption to the forest ecosystem, home to several wildlife species.
Sanna Swamy, a former Zilla Panchayat member, voiced his concern, criticizing the production for its actions in the sensitive area. He told India Today, “Farmers are already grappling with wild elephant attacks. Despite the Supreme Court’s directives to protect forests, officials have shown negligence. Immediate action is required to prevent further harm.”
The situation escalated when an altercation reportedly occurred between the crew and a local youngster, who was allegedly injured in the incident. The injured individual was hospitalized at Crawford Hospital in Sakleshpur. Following this, the villagers demanded that the filming be moved to another location and threatened legal action against the film crew, including filing a petition in the High Court if their concerns were not addressed.
Despite the controversy, the film’s production continues, with producer Vijay Kirangandur announcing that 30% of the shoot has been completed. The next filming schedule will begin in September, and the film is expected to hit theaters by August 2025.
In addition to Kantara Chapter 1, Rishab Shetty will also be starring in Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma, alongside Teja Sajja.