Kantara, Behind the Sets: How Rishab Shetty delivered a masterpiece and revived Kannada cinema

The lesser known aspects on the making of Kantara, Rishab Shetty’s simple, yet powerful blockbuster movie. His inspiration and devotion to the rituals of coastal Karnataka helped in the revival of Kannada cinema.
#kantara #kantaramovie #rishabshetty
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Sources
Livemint
Can 'Kantara' kindle the hope of a rural renaissance?; M Muneer & Riitu Chugh; Dec 9, 2022
Small town India is where Bollywood goes to die; Lata Jha; Dec 5, 2022
‘Kantara’ and the Adivasi struggle for forest rights; Alok Prasanna Kumar; Nov 6, 2022
‘Kantara’ beats ‘KGF 1’ in Hindi belt;
Lata Jha; Nov 3, 2022
Multiplexes see up to 60% revenue share from southern films; Lata Jha; Nov 3, 2022
Kantara: How Rishab Shetty created the wild world of the film; Udita Jhunjhunwala; Oct 20, 2022
Southern film industries line up mythological, historical movies; Lata Jha; Oct 19, 2022
Times of India
KGF: Chapter 2, Kantara among the top five most Googled films in India; Dec 8, 2022
Kantara director Rishab Shetty at IFFI: Don’t believe in the concept of pan-India films; Niharika Lal; Nov 29, 2022
‘We must explore our roots and break the barriers of language’; Sridevi S; Nov 27, 2022
Did you know Amitabh Bachchan's angry young man persona influenced Rishab Shetty's role in Kantara?; Nov 20, 2022
Did you know Rishab Shetty had quit non-veg food during the shoot of 'Kantara'; Oct 31, 2022
Karnataka: From stellar act to affordability, what made Kantara click; Shyam Prasad S; Oct 30, 2022
Rishab Shetty meets superstar Rajinikanth; Oct 29, 2022
Rishab Shetty after 'Kantara': God knows what I will make next; Subhash K Jha; Oct 19, 2022
Dhanush appreciates Rishab Shetty for Kantara says, 'You should be very proud of yourself'; Oct 14, 2022
Indian Express
Kantara: What is the controversy over the practice of ‘bhoota kola’ in the Kannada movie?; Kiran Parashar; Nov 25, 2022
Rishab Shetty: ‘Every region in India has a version of the ritual showcased in Kantara’; Komal RJ Panchal; Oct 19, 2022
Deccan Herald
Kantara: Caught in cultural crossfire; Lakshmi Palecanda; Nov 8, 2022
I have produced sounds with a native touch in 'Kantara': Ajaneesh; Ram Rakshith V; Oct 15, 2022
The Economic Times
Why has a mid-budget Kannada film Kantara worked at an all-India level?; Rajesh Naidu; Oct 28, 2022
The News Minute
Kantara, KGF-2, Dollu, Gandhada Gudi: 2022 was a year of diverse Kannada hits; Shivani Kava; Dec 28, 2022
Money Control
KGF, Kantara producers to invest Rs 3,000 crore over 5 years; Maryam Farooqui; Dec 26, 2022
News 18
Rishab Shetty Breaks Down Kantara Climax Scene, Reveals Getting 'Scratches' On His Back; Dec 24, 2022
How 3 Shettys of Sandalwood Changed Kannada Cinema Forever; Oct 11, 2022
The Quint
'No, Bhoota Kola Isn't Part of Brahminic Hinduism': Tulu Scholars on 'Kantara’; Soundarya Athimuthu; Oct 23, 2022
India Today
Kantara 2 on cards, Rishab Shetty writing script for prequel film shoot in June; Latha Srinivasan; Jan 21, 2023
Kannada cinema | A tale of three Shettys; Ajay Sukumaran, Suhani Singh; Nov 25, 2022
The Wire
Review: 'Kantara' Is Doused in Local Flavour and Tension But Is Lopsided; Tanul Thakur; Oct 17, 2022
The Hindu
The brains behind ‘Kantara,’ ‘KGF 2’ and ‘Salaar’: A deep-dive into the workings of Hombale Films; Nalme Nachiyar; Dec 28, 2022

[@m.krishna2297]

Good job Bisbo.......I am absolutely falling in love with Kannada film industry.....Kantara was an mesmerizing and an awesome film for us.....Love from Tamil Nadu.....Woooooo

[@BisboWorld]

Great to hear that, Krishna 👍

[@sureshthalassery9059]

That was the most happiest theatre experience in my life. Big respect for Rishab Shetty from Kerala

[@adithyachatraj6107]

I am from Keradi village and I can absolutely tell that this video is 100% fax

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Adithya 🙏

[@opalvlog1052]

By even seeing your animation I am getting goosebumps. Definitely there is some power involved in this movie.

[@shivamkhodwe5237]

The hardwork done on the visuals of these videos by bisbo are exceptionally awesome and innovative. Superb artwork done.. 🔥💯❤️

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks a lot Shivam 🌹🙏

[@mrutyunjayasarangi3511]

Hey i am from odisha n i must say what a wonderful film it was n i am sure i m going to remember it my lifetime n its really beautiful ..that's the beauty n diversity of India Lastly , u have portrayed it so well ..thank u for making me watch this movie again

[@WillJackDo]

I'm always amused by your balanced takes on complex topics. Kudos!

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks JW

[@sudarshangm5917]

Good work bisbo.. actually it is all about story writers.. nearly all indian film industries have neglected them.. except malyalam.. am from Karnataka..have growed watching kannada cinemas.. The problem here is we have very less 'original' story writers.. till now it was age of remix,remake etc.. but when in lockdown dubbing was allowed in Kannada... The directors and producers started realising value of writers.. now they are also patronizing writers (like 7 odds team of avane srimannarayana) ..The problem still exists of unwanted heroism and build-up movies with no stories of some main 'heroes'...overall it's a start

[@BisboWorld]

That's a very pertinent analysis on the vacuum of writers and how things are changing 🙏

[@pramodh36]

Thanks Bisbo Team, Now the whole Karnataka loves you.

[@basaveshbabu2227]

Thanks Bisbo team for this wonderful visual work. You mentioned Gandhadagudi it's touched me ❤️

[@shashanktiwari8204]

Waited to see this video until I saw the movie first. This is absolutely beautiful work by Bisbo! Movie review, Industry analysis and what not in a single video. Keep it up!

[@hero090]

Karnataka is one state many worlds❤❤

[@rohithkulal8027]

Instead dakshina Kannada say Tulunadu where this culture is celebrated. Because when you say Tulunadu it includes (Mangalore & Udupi districts of coastal Karnataka and Kasaragod districts kerala .There is a long pending demand to recognise our Tulu language and our region. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 Jai Tulunad ☀️🌙

[@Lordpolyglot]

Superb work what a wonderful way of summing up everything about the movie and their makers 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@shashidhar97]

Waiting for for this topic wonderful bisbo

[@BisboWorld]

🙏

[@xploreourterra6096]

Rishab shetty put his passion, craziness and madness into Kantara so thats why it's successful!

[@pinkusujit]

That is why i (and many other like me) liked this movie so much!

[@BisboWorld]

👍🙏

[@keerthanbhat90]

Kannada Golden Era - 70s is still too soon to be compared. To achieve that kannada has to give back to back hits in different genres and work like a team, but definitely 2018 KGF was a scratch, 2022 is a start and there are big milestones yet to be covered

[@BisboWorld]

Important take, Keerthan 👍

[@HINDUTVASAVARKAR]

My ಕನ್ನಡ ಇಂಡಸ್ಟ್ರಿ will change bharat cinemas thanks for telling people about Kannada film industry legendary Dr.vishnuvardhana Sir. Shankar nag Dr.rajkumar Dr.ambrisha many more

[@PrithviRajPatil1]

LOVE YOU BISBO , THE WORK YOUR TEAM PUTS IN MAKING THESE VIDEOS , JUST LOVE IT 😍

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks a lot, Prithvi 🌹

[@shivashankarsbhat134]

I really appreciate their hard work and yours too. As a citizen of karnataka that to tulunadu. I really connect the story line

[@dudeimstoned5141]

Bollywood: finishes movie in 6months Meanwhile South movies(kannada and telugu dedicates 6months just for one shot preparation. No wonder the quality of South films go top of the sky

[@BisboWorld]

That is true indeed for some latest movies, especially of Hombale Films

[@dudeimstoned5141]

@@BisboWorld Yes, RRR from DVV productions took 2 years for virtual production, director and his father took 2 years for story, 4 years for shooting and post production. Fruits well ripen.

[@Keerthi009.2]

I have seen other many detailing videos on Kantara...! The way you have explained is very interesting..! But one thing I would like to add... In this movie shiva's character is portrayed Lord Shiva and the police officer murali character portrayed Lord Vishnu... As their names also similar... ! Thank you Bisbo.. 🙏😊

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Keerthi for adding this wonderful point 🙏🌹

[@Keerthi009.2]

@@BisboWorld It's my Pleasure✨😊🙏

[@vimarshaka4691]

Hearing about Rakshit in a video about Rishab Shetty completes the video

[@VijayaLakshmi_24]

Thank you for this video on our industry ❤️❤️❤️

[@tangimbhuyan107]

Bro this channel is really so underated. You people deserve more views and subscribers. Appreciate your efforts.

[@joshuajoshua8417]

Fabulous content-driven Kannada movies: Ulidavaru Kandante, GBSM, GGVV, Kirik Party, SHPSK, Kavaludari, U-Turn, Bell Bottom, Ondu Motte Kathe, ASN, Rickie, SAGOL

[@nithinn987]

Lucia is missing

[@sanchayanroychoudhury3315]

4:59 Panjurli dev is not an incarnation of Vishnu. 'Varaha' in general means a boar. Panjurli dev was a boar adopted by Shiva and Parvati, who was later banished to earth.

[@BisboWorld]

That's one perspective and your's is also one another.

[@rajeshkumarshivanna4145]

'' revived Kannada cinema'' is a far fetched statement.

[@mitchelldalmedia815]

Beautifully researched and explained

[@bumblebee2956]

Unbelievable cinematic experience 🎉

[@akashtaatparya4557]

Superb research on every aspect..👍🏻👍🏻

[@foxroxstudios5677]

Beautiful Explanation ❤️🙏🏻🚩

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks

[@siddborah]

Yes, India's east ends in Bengal, beyond that is abyss! 🙂

[@d_12345_s]

Thank u bisbo for showing our tulunadi culture correctly

[@Saurabh4TIWARI]

Thanks to KZbin algorithm I just found a gem of KZbin.

[@kiranus8286]

Nice work and very good graphics 👌

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Kiran

[@rajus7573]

This video is very good. Please make one video about Dr. Rajjumar family and Actor Darshan.

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Raju. We will surely think about it in future.

[@alayasultana8834]

Thank you for this video bisbo 👍

[@BisboWorld]

🙏

[@anirudhnayak3613]

Felt awesome to hear legend Shankar nag name from bisbo's mouth

[@BisboWorld]

👍🙏

[@PrabhanjanMangalgi]

I think you need to re-watch the movie. You can't review it from today's perspective as it is set in 1990's. Shiva, Leela, Murali and Devendra are the important pillars of the movie. Coming to the Kannada Film industry, After the demise of the legendary Shankar Nag, the industry was literally plagued with remakes, formulaic movies etc.. there were few gems far between here and there but unnoticed. Actors hardly experimented, even if they did it turned out to be a dud. But since early 2010's This Shetty&Co are real game changers for the Kannada Film industry. Be it Rakshit, Raj and Rishabh. All of them are Good directors, actors, and screenwriters. With that, they are good businessmen as well. All three own individual studios, have a team of actors and technicians, earned credibility in the past and are now basking in glory and success. But we need more like them to take the Kannada industry to greater heights. Kgf movies pushed the industry in an upward direction to get noticed, thanks to Prashant Neel and Yash. Kantara further cemented the hype regarding KFI. There are some other directors like Pawan Kumar etc who deserve honourable mention. Anyways hope more talent gets recognised and get KFI the greater recognition it deserves.

[@chetanksig]

Love the content !

[@harshasomayaji9041]

Ullidaharu kandte... Is a dream movie ...

[@studyonly4610]

The main thing that I believe is we people living in North Parts of India has all the history of god which shows us a brighter side and with a motivating objective due to prolonged history of supression by Mughals were only these would have helped whereas in Southern Part of India as well as North eastern part of India The history is much more expressive and full of different emotions of Lord Shiva the god of Destruction SO this is the reason it gained so much popularity in Northern Part of India

[@rozlinpanda5483]

YOUR all videos are very Awesome plz upload your introduction video also 🙏😊

[@jeevabalegar4954]

One of the best content in KZbin about KANTARA with All accurate facts and information Wonderful Graphical presentation Much love to your Hard work bro. Great content creators

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Jeeva

[@roshanh1431]

Very well narrated! 👍

[@giriraj9168]

Good review.nice animation

[@ps-gh3hu]

Wow good move to make a prequel

[@Shravan..........664]

Wow ,.......... 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mayatulsiani8411]

Awesome movie❤

[@ak5258]

god is love and compassion. In developed world it means holding the door open for the person behind you, not cutting in front of someone, not littering, treating woman as equals etc. What we see in this video was the concept of god was when people lived in fear. Thanks to science the number of 'god fearing' people is reducing.

[@madhumohan4114]

Super analysis

[@BisboWorld]

Thank you

[@hmmer3471]

Kannada cinema started to revive from the film Lucia. Kantara film revived Indian cinema.

[@kiranjapti9377]

Tqsm bisbo

[@davidmiller7297]

Nice researched video 👍

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks you David

[@krkamath]

0:57 the one performing the kola becomes the medium for the Daiva to take over his body and speak through him ; he does not become the god himself, just a medium. Daiva is considered as a part of the God, in case of Panjurli Daiva or Guliga Daiva is considered a part of Lord shiva himself. Daiva = part of the God / Lord not the complete whole. God has all qualities and complete while the Daiva’s hold specific qualities. Guliga daiva’s quality for example is a Khshetrapala or the one who protects territory/ land. There are many other Daiva’s revered for their own unique qualities.

[@fineapplepic]

Bisho, Kantara was well done movie, the plot for land temple was copy of my short film God is Mine, written 2014, was told to friend who was associated to Kantara team, who doesn't reply to my calls , I'm sure oneday i will do to the world

[@v.shettycrazeography6403]

Bisbo, please make a video on Anni Dewani Case 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks for the suggestion. We will definitely look at this.

[@foxroxstudios5677]

Kantara ❤️🙏🏻🚩

[@Gurukrupa91]

Wonderful Bisbo ...❤ Loved it

[@BisboWorld]

Thank you 🌹

[@RamRamRamRamRam.]

👏

[@satyasangoju4142]

Because Allu Arvind took Distribution, thats the real thing.

[@suesmint2044]

The problem with bisbo is that he is more into the politics then the message

[@shreyashnaikare359]

Please make a video on lithium deposits found in Kashmir

[@BisboWorld]

We will think about this.

[@rits3010]

Please make a video on Adani

[@MKRARTSLLP]

Watch shetty's movie Bell Bottom, it's even better!

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks Manesh.. Will do.

[@aravindabharadwaj9628]

With mentioning the name of Rajkumar, Ravichandran and Shankarnag sir, I think forgetting Vishnuvardhan sir’s name was not correct. He has contributed equally. Get ur facts right @bisbo

[@BisboWorld]

We regret the error. Thanks for adding, Aravinda.

[@aravindabharadwaj9628]

@@BisboWorld ❤

[@sreeju0071]

👏👏

[@BisboWorld]

🙏

[@mohitzambare]

I truly did not understand this movie like what was it all about?

[@madeshp3457]

Where is Vishnuvardhan and ambareesh shivraj kumar? When you are saying about 90's

[@Murga_Mutton]

This film could have been an international export of Indian cinema, but they didn’t go for it

[@manjunathmb4669]

bisbo team it is yakshagana . not yakshagna

[@jayanthreddy1582]

The movie did a good work in bringing back the Kannada audiences from KGF madness (literal bs) to their senses. No gory or massy scenes and no shitty dialogues but just made a magic with linking God with people. 🙏

[@BisboWorld]

Well put Jayanth 🙏

[@darkiftekhar7478]

Please make a video on kgf

[@CARL_093]

👍👍

[@ChanShek-ws1hq]

I don't see bisbo kannada version

[@anushbangera9937]

you forget to mention it is tulu culture.

[@BisboWorld]

Well pointed, Anush. We missed to refer this.

[@akshayganesh4144]

Revival of kannada cinema. Are you kidding me? I thought it revived during kgf 1 according to the media trends. Frankly speaking kannada industry did produce good cinemas even before that but never got good public attention as much as it deserved unlike tamil or telugu. I can give you many examples such as googly, masterpiece, kirik party, ugram, super etc. If you watch upendra's films you will go crazy bro.

[@naveenkichcha8715]

masterpiece is Thrash. You can include Mr and Mrs Ramachari insted of that

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks for your suggestions, Akshay

[@Shravan..........664]

U forgot to mention Vishnu Vardhan......

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks for adding :)

[@colourless2d]

Fuck Democracy It might seem to be irrelevant but we need to beget changes. We need a model like china where corruption is less.

[@mrk9539]

1st like

[@MixXD947]

Revived Kannada Cinema ? Then what did KGF do ? Sold peanuts

[@BisboWorld]

Lol very different genres

[@MixXD947]

@@BisboWorld Then say revived the particular Genre of Kannada Cinema not kannada cinema

[@hagekapa5101]

Kantara prequel release date : 2024

[@BisboWorld]

Yes

[@adnap555]

i will not be surprised if your video becomes (or the makers contact your team to make ) the official animated version of the movie

[@BisboWorld]

Wow.. that's big praise, Prajwal.. Thank you 🙏 It's delightful to even think about doing this.

[@prashantchikkabenur89]

Please do a video on sting operation done by zee news on Chetan Sharma

[@BisboWorld]

We have actually covered these aspects in our recent story on BCCI's Selectors fiasco

[@aksharasbhat6480]

A like for your Limerick

[@sandeshvirat9372]

You forgot to mention Dr.Vishnu and Dr. Ambi. Please do the research properly while showcasing the facts in front of people and it was Yash who made this big dream come true thing by KGF. If that was nt the start for going big with in the kanada industry i don't know what else is .

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks for this addition, Sandesh 👍

[@abhimanyupanwar6926]

To be honest I didn't not like Kantara at all, it is kind of overrated, but no one can deny how good Rishab Shetty did his performance and how much hard work he did, collecting 500 cr with a budget of 16 cr is not a small task

[@BisboWorld]

True Abhimanyu.. it's mind boggling Return on Investment

[@adithyachatraj6107]

The film is an absolute masterpiece when you compare it with Bollywood and many other cringe regional language films. It’s left to you to like it or not

[@ShankarDada010]

If nothing in story why did bollywood could not able to do the movie or your channel it self

[@BisboWorld]

Nowhere we said nothing in story. We just believe it could have been even better in certain aspects of storytelling.

[@jayanthreddy1582]

Blind believer spotted. Also Bisbo you are doing a great work.

[@jashansogi2641]

36mins ago 1.8k views

[@komalsingh-di4fv]

He should not do it...let it be one kantara ...the second part I deept doubt will be good..

[@thomasShelby-pj1wh]

Can u make bisboo northeast for my peoples please it's a request for your sweet subscribers

[@underdog800]

3rd commenter

[@SangramRMane]

And then we have Bollywood 😅

[@ajaysharma6811]

Plz dont compare Dongariya Kondh with Khalistani movement

[@rushabhshah.2768]

OMG this movie 🙈I did like the demigod part as it was thrilling but The movie wasn't going anywhere in the first half it was completely nonsense the hero was harassing the heroine and that was considered romance the second half at least had some story. They show the hero peaking in the shower to see the girl shower I have no idea what exactly are they promoting in a country which is one of the scariest places for women and such behavior is something which some women go through and live in trauma. The hero is disrespecting her mom and kicking her love interest and sure there will be some justification for that too by the fanboys. They just show only a single scene of the actress throwing the pole just to show we support women empowerment. Such behavior of hero is common in south Indian cinema there is no such thing as consent in those films. The hero can do anything with the girl or be as creepy as much he wants the funny cute background music covers it all. The cop was righteous in every single way from the very beginning till the end of the movie doing his duty without any corruption and protecting the nature whereas the hero was completely opposite and was wrong in every single way destroying natural resources forests and animals. The descendent of the king who died in the beginning at the stairs never did anything wrong he didn't use his power or was violent to get his land back instead he chose the legal way and went to the court to fight for it. It just felt like this movie was just trashing the law and order and rationality of everyone. They literally showed the cop as a completely powerless person who was trashed by everyone in the film and didn't even arrest someone who is pointing a gun at him what nonsense. The Indian audience have always been extremely influenced by the cinema as we have an extremely huge population of uneducated people and they show such pervert behavior and show him as the hero the film you can image how wrong this is in so many ways. I think this movie was just so much hyped because it was religious and in the current state of India everyone is becoming extremely religious and the current fever of watching South Indian movies gave a boost to the movie. I was intrigued to see the demigod culture but apart from that the story and everything was nonsense. P.S. - You must watch the video by Soch by Mohak Mangal - "What is wrong with Telugu movies?"

[@BisboWorld]

Thanks for your alternate perspective, Rushabh. Important points you make.

[@sathwikhv6874]

The problem in our Kannada film industry is the dearth of a good film . Most films released are just plain cringe and notoriously bad with actors like Sudeep , Darshan churning garbage films every year . So when a mediocre misogynistic film like Kantara comes along , it’s like a gem among the heaps of garbage and gets hyped . People who don’t watch foreign films especially from the East Asian countries and Latin American countries have absolutely no idea what “ good” films are . Kanatara has a female character who’s like a doll only there for the “ hero” to pinch , stalk her and her character has literally 0 value in the film . If you take her character out of the film , the film is much better without all the cringe romance one liners and songs

[@EmptyRedBullCan]

The problem is also with the people watching such "garbage". The creators/writers simply are forced to take the populous route.

[@avi4francis]

Shots fired 😂

[@rakshithm1257]

You must be fun at parties!

[@sathwikhv6874]

@@rakshithm1257 yeah I’m told I’m pretty fun , thanks though . I just stated my opinion , you’re entitled to disagree

[@BisboWorld]

@Sathwik Agreed on the sexist portrayal part, which we also referred to. But also unfair to compare with World Cinema. On that level, Kantara does show genuine issues of forest conversation and rights of marginalised.

[@abinthomas8]

The story is mediocre, only the last 20min is good primarily because of the song (Navarasam) which was stolen. The moment you remove the song the movie falls flat. Dearth of good movies in kannada lead to Kantara's success.

[@BisboWorld]

If it would have achieved success only amongst Kannada audience, then your analysis would have been fine.

[@bharath_mangalore]

Only b@stards can see problem with kantara

[@vuttanurulakshmiranjan8421]

Kantara simply gives hype about Panjurli. Panjurli is a bhoota not a daiva. People who don't know about Tulunada bhootas found the movie thrilling. There are many Daiva Purushas and Sri Raghavendra Swamy was greatest of them.