The pre-release event of Kantara Chapter 1 in Hyderabad created unexpected controversy over language use. Rishab Shetty, the film’s hero and director, spoke mostly in Kannada, which most of the Telugu audience could not understand. Only Junior NTR seemed to fully grasp his statements.
Kannada films often face challenges in Telugu markets. Recent successes like KGF and Kantara have helped bridge the gap with dubbed Telugu versions. Rishab had spoken some Telugu during promotions in 2022, which was appreciated. This time, relying heavily on Kannada backfired despite his disclaimer expressing love for the Telugu audience and NTR.
The controversy is also linked to Bengaluru incidents, where Kannada supporters disrupted the OG premiere, frustrating Pawan Kalyan fans. Additionally, news about a ticket price hike in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for the dubbed release fueled Telugu audience anger.
Kannada audiences have shown empathy online, noting the irony. One user highlighted how Telugu audiences now understand the frustration Kannada audiences felt when actors avoided Kannada at Bengaluru events. Rishab’s choice of language mirrors that long-standing sentiment.
Rishab Shetty could have avoided most of the backlash by using a mix of Telugu, English, and some Kannada. Instead, speaking almost entirely in Kannada triggered controversy, overshadowing the film and creating tension among fans before its release.
