Regional can also be universal: Kannada star Rishab Shetty on 'Kantara: Chapter 1' success
New Delhi (PTI): Buoyed by the overwhelming box office success of "Kantara: Chapter 1", actor-director Rishab Shetty on Wednesday said the film’s triumph reinforces his belief that regional storytelling can be accepted universally.
Much like its predecessor "Kantara" (2022), which became a cultural phenomenon for its rooted storytelling, exploration of folklore and divine traditions of coastal, the new Kannada film has also earned praise for its narrative and performances.
At the global box office, "Kantara: Chapter 1" has emerged as a runaway success, grossing Rs 427.5 crore within six days of its release.
"We began the world of 'Kantara' from the first film and since then we have explored the dynamic between nature and humans. This story is rooted in our folklore from coastal Karnataka, we want to talk about the tribes, the folklore and deity worship in our film.
"Since then I have had a thought that regional can also be universal. This time with this success, that point has once again been proven that our film is being accepted globally," Shetty, who has written, directed, produced and acted in "Kantara: Chapter 1", told reporters here.
The Kannada star was speaking at a success press event along with co-stars Jayaram, Gulshan Devaiah, cinematographer Arvind S Kashyap, costume designer Pragathi Shetty, and Chaulve Gowda of production banner Hombale Films.
Set in pre-colonial Karnataka during the reign of the Kadambas from Banavasi, “Kantara: Chapter 1” depicts the conflict between the tribals of the Kantara forest and a tyrannical king.
In addition to Kannada, the movie was also released in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English on October 2.
"We have tried to stick to our core this time around, and the audience has appreciated that. I think it has been even more effective than the last part I have heard in the reviews," said Shetty, who earlier won the National Film Award for Best Actor as well as Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for “Kantara”.
Shetty said the film demanded immense effort and praised his entire team for their support.
"We also don't know how we achieved this. It scared us to think about the effort that would go into making the film. As a team, we have managed to achieve this -- from the production boys that got us tea to the production house -- everyone has contributed to this film."
Producer Gowda said the team worked hard to make the film resonate not only with Kannada audiences but with viewers across the world.
"Our vision is to call our films Indian cinema. This film is not just for the Karnataka audience but for pan-Indian audience because now language is not a barrier. We are working with very talented people, so we expect it to reach all audience... The whole team of 'Kantara' has worked very hard on the film," he said.
Actors Jayaram and Devaiah recalled joining the ambitious project. It marks Devaiah's debut in Kannada cinema while it is veteran actor Jayaram's second film in the regional industry.
"This is my second Kannada movie. Three years ago I got a call from Rishab ji and I was excited, and the excitement remains... I'm always a student in each one of my films, so this time I am Rishab's student and I'm glad we got to work together," said Jayaram, known for appearing in Telugu and Tamil hits such as "Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo", "Hi Nanna" and "Ponniyin Selvan".
Devaiah said he first Shetty in 2019 and became a fan of the Kannada star.
"I didn't know much about him but (saw) the passion in him to create cinema deeply rooted in his culture. I knew he had the sincerity to tell these stories and I wanted to be a part of that," the actor said.
He also added that the film is special as he too is a "mountain boy" from Kerala and wanted his first film there to be special.
"After they told me the story I knew it would be my mistake to not do it. He gave me a lot of freedom to interpret the character and I am from Karnataka. So to come back and have this to be the first film I feature in was very special," he said.
Cinematographer Kashyap also gave credit to the entire team in weaving together a story which resonates deeply across Indian audiences.
"The main reason that people like the visuals of the movie is because of the story which has been the basis for this entire phenomenon so I want to thank our writers for giving us this story.
"There were a lot of challenges given the backdrop we shot this film in but it has been successful because of Hombale who have supported us and for our director and his energy. The sets, the costumes, everything led to the visuals so when you collaborate to this extent, this kind of film is made possible," he said.
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Protests against Khamenei's killing: Curbs remain in force in Kashmir
Srinagar (PTI): Strict restrictions remained imposed in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following massive protests across the valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, the government shut educational institutions till Saturday, while mobile internet speed continued to remain throttled.
"Restrictions on the movement and assembly of the people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday," the officials said.
They said strict restrictions were being enforced especially in the parts having large Shia population and those areas which have witnessed massive protests over the last three days.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors, the officials said.
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They added that concertina wires and barricades were placed at important intersections leading into the city, while asserting that these were precautionary measures imposed to maintain law and order.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar in the city centre of Lal Chowk here continued to remain a no-go zone after the authorities sealed area with barricades erected all around it on late Sunday night.
The move to seal the Ghanta Ghar came after it witnessed massive protests on Sunday after Khamenei's assassination in the joint air strikes by the US and Israel.
This is the first time since August 2019 that protests on such a large scale have taken place in Kashmir.
The government had first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, on Tuesday it decided to close the educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure in view of the protests.
Mobile internet speeds continued to remain throttled while some prepaid mobile connections were also barred, the officials added.
On Tuesday, protests rocked several places in the valley, including Sumbal and Pattan areas of North Kashmir.
In Sumbal of Bandipora district, security forces had to resort to force to disperse the demonstrators.
Some media outlets and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, faced police heat for allegedly circulating misleading information.
A case was filed against Mehdi and Mattu under BNS sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, for allegedly circulating "false, fabricated and misleading content" on digital and social media platforms.
"The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability," the police said in a statement.
Both have been condemning the killing of Khameinei and the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
However, hours after the registration of the case, Mehdi, an influential Shia leader, said he would not be deterred from speaking the truth.
"The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to recite government-approved condolences. They elected him to speak truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR," he said in a post on X.
Police has issued an appeal to people to refrain from violence and provocation.
"We appeal to all sections of the society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation," it said.
Police said they will take strict legal action against instigators of violence and those involved in unlawful activities.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to be on high alert and chaired a meeting of top officials of the police and army here.
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"Chaired a meeting of senior police & civil administration officials at the Police Control Room, Kashmir, to review the law and order situation. Directed the officers to remain on heightened alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity," Sinha said on X.
He appealed to the people and community leaders to maintain peace.
"I also appeal to the citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of calm and goodwill in society. Preserving peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally upon each one of us," he said.
