Exclusive! Rishab Shetty: Was approached for Mohanlal film, but declined, as I want to do a Kannada film

In the last several days, the buzz in industry circles has been that Kantara filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty was taking the plunge into Malayalam cinema with a pivotal role in director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Mohanlal film, Malaikottai Valiban. According to the unsubstantiated reports, Rishab was thrilled about sharing screen space with the veteran Malayalam superstar and agreed to be a part of the under-production movie. The reports also added that Tamil star Kamal Hassan would also be in the action thriller.

Following the blockbuster success of Kantara, though, Rishab had actually excused himself from other prior acting commitments, including Bachelor Party, which is being produced by his close pal Rakshit Shetty, as the former is looking at making a follow up film for Hombale Films. Bell Bottom 2 is also on hold for the same reason. The buzz is that he is making Kantara 2, a prequel to Kantara, which is likely to go on floors in June this year, with a summer of 2024 targeted for its theatrical release. So, it seemed strange that Rishab would head to the set of a Malayalam film instead.

With the rumours refusing to die down and no confirmation from any party involved we decided to check in with Rishab if he was indeed a part of Malaikottai Valiban. “Fake news,” he responded almost immediately. Rishab, who is just back from a jungle holiday with his family and friends, including Rakshit, Pramod Shetty and Sheetal Shetty, added, “I was approached for the role, no doubt, but I had to decline the same, as I am looking at doing a Kannada film next. I am not sure where the reports of me having okayed the film are coming from.”

While Rishab is not a part of Lijo’s film, there is a Kannada film connect in the form of standup comedian-actor Danish Sait, who is already in Jaisalmer, where major portions are being shot.