Rakshit Shetty resurfaces; netizens say it will be a while before he starts Richard Anthony

In November 2023, when OTTplay managed to get hold of actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty, he’d spoken about wanting to get back to direction at the earliest. Richard Anthony, the Ulidavaru Kandanthe prequel that he’d announced earlier would be the first of many, he had said. Rakshit had been working on the script of the film for a while and was looking at finalizing a version to go on floors with. At the time, he was hopeful of having the film in theatres by the end of 2025, but cut to now, and there’s no sign of the film, what with the actor-filmmaker still working on the script.

What's up with Rakshit, wonder netizens

In the last couple of years, Rakshit has been spent a lot of time in the US, supposedly fine-tuning the final version of the draft. He resurfaced this week to attend the wedding of his 777 Charlie director Kiranraj in Kasargod and as pictures of Rakshit with the newly-weds floated on social media, netizens wondered how much longer it would take him to get started on his film.

Rakshit, who had piled on the pounds for Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side B, is still carrying much of that girth. Considering that Richard Anthony is a prequel, the actor has his work cut out to get in shape as Richie. “Richard Anthony is clearly atleast an year away if Rakshit Shetty wants to play a younger Richi,” wrote a netizen. Another was clearly worried for the actor, “You seem to have put on some weight and look tired, Raks. Hope everything is okay.”

Also read: Rakshit Shetty’s ‘big projects take time’ statement divides fans; excites some, others want him to move on from Richard Anthony 

Richard Anthony was initially announced as a Hombale Films production, but there’s been radio silence from the banner on the project since then. Later on, there was speculation that Rakshit’s banner, Paramvah Studios would produce the film, but that maybe unlikely as sources indicate that all’s not well, given that there have been no new production ventures, while a few completed films remain unreleased.

Also read: Rakshit Shetty on Richard Anthony: Recreating Udupi of the 60s and 70s a challenge; actors to be from coastal belt only

Rakshit has an ambitious list of films in the pipeline, including Richard Anthony and a 2-part Punyakoti, but will these ever get made? Here’s looking to you, Rakshit, for the answer. As fans say, “Shettre, update kodi.”

FAQs

Q. What was Rakshit Shetty's last release?

A. Rakshit Shetty was last seen in 2023's Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A and Side B. He had, since, vowed, to spend the foreseeable future on directorials. 

Q. What is Richard Anthony about?

A. Richard Anthony was meant to be the prequel to Rakshit Shetty's directorial debut, Ulidavaru Kandanthe, focusing on the actor-filmmaker's character, Richie. The film will bring Rakshit back to the director's chair, but is yet to take off.