Veteran actor Jayaram has shared a warm note of thanks with fans following the release of Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1, which hit cinemas on Thursday. The veteran actor, who plays King Vijayendra in the mythological prequel, posted a picture of himself in costume alongside an emotional message on social media.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you for the overwhelming love, reviews, and praises you’ve showered on Kantara: Chapter 1,” Jayaram wrote. “Your words mean more to me than I can ever express, and it fills me with immense gratitude to see the film resonate with you the way it has.”
The actor went on to say how special the moment felt, especially since the success of the film reached him during Ayudha Pooja. “What makes this moment even more special is that this beautiful news has reached me today, on the auspicious occasion of Ayudha Pooja — a day that celebrates devotion, hard work, and blessings. I couldn’t have asked for a better sign of encouragement.”
Jayaram also expressed his appreciation to the film's writer-director Rishab for trusting him with the role. “My heartfelt gratitude to Mr @rishabshettyofficial for trusting me in this process! All my love to the entire team who worked behind this film to make us look good. Thank you for making this journey unforgettable… this love will stay with me forever.”
Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a period mythological action drama set in coastal Karnataka centuries ago. The film delves into the origins of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the ancestral conflict introduced in the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. With Rishab leading the cast as Berme, the prequel continues to blend folklore, spirituality, and action on an epic scale.
Apart from Jayaram’s King Vijayendra, the film also features Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavati and Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara in pivotal roles. Supported by striking visuals from cinematographer Arvind S Kashyap and music by B Ajaneesh Loknath, the film has opened to mostly positive reviews, with particular praise for its ambitiously grand scale and powerful performances.