New tragedy befalls Kantara Chapter 1; Kerala-based junior artiste succumbs to heart attack
Viju VK, a mimicry artiste from Thrissur, was in Agumbe with the team when he complained of chest pain and was rushed to a nearby hospital
Last Updated: 03.33 PM, Jun 12, 2025
Merely weeks after the tragic deaths of a junior artiste, MF Kapil (33), associated with Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, who drowned while swimming in the Souparnika River near Kollur, and then Comedy Khiladigalu fame Rakesh Poojary (33), another life has been lost. This time, it’s 33-year-old Viju VK, also a Kerala based junior artiste associated with the film.
Thrissur-based Viju was a mimicry artiste and was with the team of Kantara Chapter 1 at a homestay in Agumbe when he experienced chest pain. He was rushed to a hospital in Thirthahalli, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. His family is expected to reach Thirthahalli on June 12 to take custody of his mortal remains.
Third death of Kantara Chapter 1 junior artistes; all were only 33 years old
Kantara Chapter 1 has been plagued with issues from the beginning. Initially, there was trouble related to shooting permissions in forest ranges, complaints against use of explosives in eco-sensitive areas, and then there was a road accident involving a vehicle ferrying junior artistes, in which many sustained injuries. There were also complaints of delays in payments. But three deaths in a very short span of time, each of who were 33 years old, seems a tad uncanny.
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Meanwhile, the team of Kantara Chapter 1 remain focused on bringing the film to theatres on October 2, 2025, as had been announced earlier. Despite occasional rumours that the film is likely to be delayed, they have, time and again, reaffirmed their commitment to sticking to the original date.
Kantara: Chapter 1 is the prequel to Rishab’s super successful 2022 film Kantara, which catapulted him to pan-India stardom and gave him the title Divine Star. He also won the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. Although he has been tight-lipped about the subject of Kantara Chapter 1, there are reports suggesting that he will present the origin story of Panjurli Daiva.