Kantara Chapter 1 is not just a film; it delivers an action spectacle that showcases the power of Indian cinema to the world. At the center of this ambitious project stands Arjun Raj, one of Kannada cinema’s most in-demand action choreographers. He rose from a small café job to designing daring stunts, proving his resilience and destiny. With Kantara Chapter 1, he now takes on his biggest challenge yet.
Arjun Raj’s Journey into Action
Arjun grew up watching his father, Anand Raj, a noted fighter in Kannada films. His father discouraged him from joining cinema because he knew the dangers and instability of the field. But Arjun could not resist his passion. He first dreamed of acting, and when his father advised him to learn action, he followed the suggestion. What started as a stepping stone soon became his life’s calling.
Arjun faced tough beginnings. He worked in a café to survive while he secretly trained in action. Later, he traveled to Chennai to polish his skills. Over the years, he built his career step by step. He began as a body double, choreographed over a hundred films, and earned respect in the industry. Today, his father, once doubtful, supports him as his strongest ally.
Entering Kantara Chapter 1
When the makers of Kantara Chapter 1 called him, Arjun thought it was impossible. They first offered him one sequence, but his dedication convinced them to hand him four major action blocks. Alongside him, Ram-Lakshman and Hollywood stunt director Todor Lazarov also created sequences, with Lazarov handling the war scenes.
Arjun designed a carriage chase, a massive war scene, a pre-climax battle, and the climax fight. Since the story unfolds a thousand years ago, he avoided copying from modern films. For instance, the carriage chase featured Rishab Shetty and over a thousand junior artists, making it the riskiest stunt of Arjun’s career.
The Scale of Action
The team prepared for weeks before executing each fight. The carriage sequence alone required 25 days of shooting, 15 days of rehearsals, and 6 days of pre-production. The crew spent nearly a crore each day to perfect it, showing the scale of the project.
Rishab Shetty performed every stunt himself without using a body double. He trained in sword fighting, horse riding, and Kalaripayattu to deliver the required intensity. His spirit, Arjun says, lifted the action to a whole new level.
The crew also introduced a Twisting Rig from Germany, the first of its kind in Indian cinema. Arjun learned to use it and created fresh dimensions for the stunts while ensuring safety. The team managed over 100 trained fighters and thousands of extras on set every day, turning logistical challenges into rewarding achievements.
Arjun Raj’s Vision
Arjun Raj views Kantara Chapter 1 not just as a film but as a celebration of history, culture, and Indian roots. He believes this prequel will prove that Indian cinema can match the world’s biggest action spectacles. As he declares, “Kantara Chapter 1 will show the world just how powerful Indian action can be.”
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