Jr NTR Praises Rishab Shetty at Kantara Chapter 1 Telugu Pre-Release Event

Tollywood star Jr NTR set the stage on fire with his heartfelt words at the pre-release event of Kantara: Chapter 1 (Telugu). The grand event celebrated the upcoming prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. That film earned more than Rs 407 crore worldwide and won praise across India. The new chapter, which Rishab Shetty wrote, directed, and headlined, will release worldwide on October 2, 2025.

Childhood Tales Come Alive on Screen

NTR began his speech with a deeply personal memory. He recalled how his grandmother, originally from Kundapura, narrated fascinating folk tales during his childhood. Stories about Panjurli and Fuliga always made him wonder if such legends were true. Watching those very tales unfold on screen in Kantara Chapter 1 amazed him. He said he never imagined that a director could turn those fables into such a powerful cinematic experience, but Rishab Shetty turned that vision into reality.

NTR on Rishab Shetty’s Rare Talent

NTR called Rishab a “rare breed of actor-director” and explained how Shetty balances every part of filmmaking with perfection. He said Rishab does not just control the actor or the director within him. Instead, he masters all 24 crafts of cinema. According to him, no one else created Kantara Chapter 1 on this scale.

Witnessing the Hard Work Behind the Film

NTR also described how he personally witnessed the massive effort that went into the film. He revealed that Rishab took him to a temple near his hometown, where visitors could reach only by walking through water. Since no natural path existed, the team built one to set up the shoot. NTR emphasized, “It is humanly impossible to make a film under such conditions. Only Rishab and his dedicated team achieved it.”

A Personal Connection Fulfilled

During the event, NTR shared how Rishab helped him fulfill his mother’s long-standing wish to visit the Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi. He said the Shetty family welcomed him as one of their own, an experience he deeply cherishes.

Kantara Chapter 1 Release and Cast

Vijay Kiragandur produced Kantara Chapter 1 under *Hombale Films. The prequel explores the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual in pre-colonial Karnataka. The film features Rukmini Vasanth as the female lead along with Gulshan Devaiah, Jayaram, Rakesh Poojari, and others. B Ajaneesh Loknath composed the music again after scoring the first part, and Arvind S Kashyap handled cinematography.

Strong advance bookings already prove the hype across India. Fans now eagerly wait to relive the mystical world of Kantara when Chapter 1 hits theatres on October 2, 2025, during Dussehra celebrations.

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