Rishab Shetty Unveils Fierce Look From ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ On Birthday, Confirms On-Time Release Despite Setbacks
Rishab Shetty unveiled a new fierce poster of ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ on his birthday, confirming its October 2025 release after a turbulent production journey.
In cinema, the stories that unfold behind the camera are often as powerful as those told on screen. And ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ is proving just that. From on-set tragedies to nature’s fury, Rishab Shetty and his team have weathered an emotional storm since the film began production in 2023. But on the occasion of the actor-director’s birthday, the makers reaffirmed their commitment to completing this ambitious project with a powerful new poster and a confirmed release date of October 2, 2025.
In a striking joint Instagram post by Hombale Films and Rishab Shetty, the birthday reveal poster showcased the actor in full warrior form – long hair, thick beard, axe in one hand and a shield in the other – as he emerged through fire while being attacked by arrows.
Check out the poster here:
The poster left fans awestruck, with one calling it a “Rs 1000 crore loading” moment.
Another one said, “Can’t wait.”
A third one commented, “Goosebumps.”
The visual narrative power of the poster perfectly encapsulates the mystical tone of the ‘Kantara’ universe. Fans of the original 2022 film will recall its spiritual undertones, stunning visuals, and immersive storytelling.
‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ serves as a prequel to that phenomenon, setting the stage for how the legend began. Rishab’s intense look and primal energy in the poster signal a grittier, more action-driven exploration into folklore and mythology.
While anticipation remains sky-high, the film’s journey has been marred by a string of unfortunate events. In June this year, actor-mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju died of a heart attack. In May, Kannada actor-comedian Rakesh Poojary passed away at 33, and junior artist MF Kapil drowned in the Souparnika river. These tragedies sent waves of sorrow through the team and fans alike.
In November last year, a bus carrying 20 junior artists met with an accident in Mudoor. Fortunately, with no casualties. But the misfortunes didn’t end there. A massive set built for ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ was washed away in heavy rains, causing substantial production delays.
In another harrowing incident, a boat carrying Rishab and 30 crew members capsized during a shoot. Miraculously, all on board escaped unharmed.
Despite these hurdles, Rishab’s latest post sends a powerful message – the show will go on. His resilience, both on-screen and off, has now become a symbol of the film’s journey.
With a new poster out now, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ stands tall not just as a film, but as a story of grit, faith, and determination.
