The success of pan-India blockbusters like Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF has inspired filmmakers across the country. Following their legacy, Kantara: Chapter 1 — a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara — has also made its mark with impressive box office numbers and strong audience reception.
The film has collected over Rs. 300 crore in India, a remarkable feat though slightly below initial expectations. With no major releases until Diwali, the team hopes the movie will continue its steady theatrical run. Director Rishab Shetty is making the most of this free window to strengthen the film’s presence.
Fans, especially from the Kannada industry, are eager to see Kantara: Chapter 2 begin soon. However, Rishab Shetty has his hands full with three large-scale projects. The first is Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma, expected to start filming in the coming months. The second is a period drama by Ashwin Gangaraju, a former associate of S.S. Rajamouli, already in pre-production. The third is a Bollywood film based on Chhatrapati Shivaji. Together, these projects may take him nearly three years to complete.
Because of these commitments, Kantara: Chapter 2 will not go on floors anytime soon. Rishab Shetty has chosen to focus on acting for now, stepping away from direction temporarily. While Hombale Films is prepared to move ahead with the next part, Rishab isn’t in a position to lead it yet. The concept exists, but the full script development is still pending.
He reportedly wants to take time to build a fresh narrative instead of following a predictable pattern. Fans may have to wait until after KGF 3 and Salaar 2 — both from the same production house — before hearing official news about Kantara 3 or Kantara Chapter 2.
