Prithviraj Sukumaran on Kantara: Hombale Films didn’t think it would take off the way it did

When one talks of a pan-Indian film, it is always a movie made in one of 5 languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada or Malayalam – although there are movies being made across the country in different languages. Will there be a time when everyone comes together for a film? This was a question posed to Sarzameen actor Prithviraj Sukumaran recently by Nayandeep Rakshith. The Malayalam star thinks that the day may not be far when Odia cinema produces a major pan-India blockbuster.

“Ten years ago, would you have thought that a relatively new director with a relatively new actor from Kannada would have made a pan-India sensation? I am personally aware that when Hombale Films was making Kantara, they didn’t think it would take off the way it did. They thought they were making a small Kannada film and it was just that initially,” said Prithviraj, who released Kantara in Kerala and with the Kannada version, because there was no Malayalam version available.

“I released the Kannada version in 8 theatres in Kerala and it found so much love that I called Rishab (Shetty) and asked him to get it dubbed in Malayalam as soon as possible. I think he got it done in a week or something. So, you never know, the next big pan-India phenomenon could be from Odia or Bhojpuri cinema,” he added.

Also read: Prithviraj Sukumaran on turning down Bombay Talkies: 'Didn't want to repeat queer role after Mumbai Police' 

In fact, prior to Kantara, despite his National Award win for his directorial Sarkari Hiriya Prathamika Shaale Kasaragode, Rishab had only 3 films as hero to his credit – Bell Bottom, Hero and Harikathe Alla Girikathe - none of which were major money spinners. He was not in the guaranteed returns bracket, but Kantara changed all of that. During the release, Hombale Films had described Kantara as a rooted ‘namma mannina kathe’, which, in no time took on a different shape and size to become the phenomenon it did, catapulting Rishab to another league.

The prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, is being prepped for an October 2, 2025 release. A few days ago, the makers had announced that principal photography had been wrapped up. Rishab, according to sources, is busy with post-production to ensure the film meets its date with audiences.