Rukmini Vasanth: Working on Kantara Chapter 1 changed my perspective as an actor and a person

It had been rumoured for a while, but confirmation came only in early August, when the makers of Kantara: Chapter 1 revealed that Sapta Sagaradaache Ello fame Rukmini Vasanth was indeed a part of the film. The actress, who had earlier described bagging the role in the Kantara prequel as a dream come true, was asked about the journey of working on the film during the promotions of her next in Tamil cinema, Madharaasi, in which she is paired with Sivakartikeyan.

Rukmini Vasanth: Kantara Chapter 1 was a heartfelt journey

Speaking to Cinema Vikatan, Rukmini said that the working on Kantara Chapter 1 was a very heartfelt journey. “Some films tend to be routine, where you go to the set, shoot and come back. But with Kantara: Chapter 1, it has changed my perspective as an actor and as a person, in terms of life, how I approach my art, etc. Every film, apart from being something that you put your heart and soul into, can also change you,” she said.

Madharaasi, meanwhile, is an action-packed psychological thriller directed by AR Murugadoss, which marks Rukmini’s second release in Tamil cinema after Ace with Vijay Sethupathi. The film, which also stars the likes of Vidyut Jammwal, Biju Menon, Vikranth, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prem Kumar, among others, will be in theatres on September 5.

Also read: All eyes on Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, as War 2 and Coolie flounder at the box office 

Then, in less than a month, Rukmini gets her fourth film in Kannada (if one considers Sapta Sagaradaache Ello’s Side A and Side B as different movies) with Kantara Chapter 1, which, according to the makers is still locked on to its October 2, 2025 release date. Besides Rukmini, the team has also officially announced the inclusion of Bollywood actor and former Bengaluru boy Gulshan Devaiah, while Malayalam actor Jayaram has spoken about him being a part of the film.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is, according to reports, Rishab Shetty’s attempt at telling the world the origin story of the daiva Panjurli, the protector deity referenced in the 2022 original Kantara.

FAQs

Q. Are Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1 the same?

A. No, they are separate films in the same franchise, both written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Kantara released in 2022, while Kantara: Chapter 1 is expected to hit theatres on October 2, 2025. Chapter 1 is the prequel of the original film and is supposedly an exploration of the origin of the Panjurli Daiva, among others.

Q. Whose avatar is Panjurli Daiva?

A. Panjurli Daiva is considered an avatar of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha incarnation. Panjurli, according to folklore, was a wild boar, who was slain by Lord Shiva and then revived to become a divine protector.