Kantara Chapter 1 maker Rishab Shetty: I’m only fascinated by telling a good story, not scale and budget

In the last few years, Kannada actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty has grown from making films for Rs 3-4 cr only, to helming one with a three-figure budget. It’s a scaling up that was required to tell the story that he has put together this time around in his Kantara series. Rishab, though, says that he is not hung up about only making big films going forward.

Rishab: Keen to return to a genre like that of SHPS

“You can tell a story even on a very small, tight budget; you just need a good story and then audiences will take it to whatever level it deserves to be. Kantara is the best example for this. I am only fascinated by telling a good story, not the scale or budget,” said Rishab in conversation with Pinkvilla, adding that he’s keen to return to a genre like his award-winning film Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, which he counts as his personal favourite.

Sarkati Hiriya Prathamika Shaale, which won a national award, is a film that Rishab says he made with a lot of love. “It tackled a subject of language politics in the Kerala-Karnataka border area. It was something that had to be addressed, but with no negativity and no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments. I want to explore that genre further,” Rishab added.

Also read: Kantara Chapter 1 2025: Release date, trailer, plot, cast, budget, OTT partner - all you need to know 

Now that he has directed himself in two back-to-back films, will Rishab go back to directing other heroes? His journey as a filmmaker started with having his good buddy Rakshit Shetty in the lead, before elevating himself to protagonist space in his own films. “I would definitely be open to directing other heroes. In fact, before being recognized as an actor, I was a filmmaker only. I just need a good story and there should be a good payout to collaborating with another actor,” he says.

FAQs

Q. Has Rishab Shetty won multiple National Film Awards?

A. Yes, Rishab's directorial Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale had won a National Award for Best Children's Film at the 66th National Awards. Later, he won a Best Actor nod for his 2022 film, Kantara. 

Q. What is Rishab Shetty's next film?

A. Rishab Shetty's next is Kantara Chapter 1, that he has written, directed and acted in. The film will be in theatres on October 2, 2025, for Vijayadashami.