Kantara 2: Sequel, prequel or something new; what will Rishab Shetty do next?

Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty is apparently currently busy preparing for a sequel to his recent blockbuster, Kantara. The film, which released in theatres on September 30 in Kannada only, was very well received across the country, prompting the makers, Hombale Films, to dub and bring it out in other languages as well. Considering the rooted nature of the film’s story, Kantara was not expected to be the blockbuster it became eventually. The team had not even considered a pan-India release, and were prepping to keep other language versions ready for the OTT debut. But all that changed almost overnight.

Kantara is the story of one man, Shiva (Rishab Shetty), who finds his true calling, against the backdrop of a forest and land-grabbing. The story was set in the 90s and ends with Shiva disappearing into the darkness of the forest, leaving behind a heavily-pregnant wife, Leela (Sapthami Gowda). After Kantara came out, there were rumours of a possible sequel, which actor Diganth confirmed recently, when he said that Rishab has excused himself from the cast of the Rakshit Shetty production Bachelor Party. The team, Diganth had said, was looking for a suitable replacement, as Rishab is now busy with work on Kantara 2.

Obviously, the question now is, about what storyline Rishab could choose for the sequel. Will it take off where the original ended, and explore a narrative in modern-day with Shiva’s offspring? Or could he do a prequel of sorts and explain the origins of the daivas and bhoothas – Panjurli and Guliga – mentioned in the film? While one set of audiences are keen to see a sequel, many are dead against the idea. Kantara is a classic, they reckon, and is best left untouched. But should Rishab go ahead and make Kantara 2 anyway, they think he ought to look for fresh, unrelated content for his next.