Rishab Shetty, the actor-filmmaker who shot to nationwide fame with Kantara, met Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence on Sunday, where the two discussed key issues concerning the development of Karnataka's coastal region.

The meeting comes just days after the state government appointed the Kantara star as the Brand Ambassador for Coastal and Malnad Tourism during a high-level tourism meeting chaired by Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha.

At the meeting, Rishab had pitched several ideas to strengthen the region's cultural and tourism ecosystem. He urged the government to extend greater support to coastal Karnataka's rich folk arts and traditional music, while also advocating for improved infrastructure and incentives to make the region a preferred destination for film shoots.

The government, meanwhile, is considering convening a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru within the next few weeks to fast-track discussions on coastal development. Officials have also been asked to prepare a report addressing issues related to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and forest clearances.

Against this backdrop, Sunday's meeting between Rishab Shetty and DK Shivakumar assumes significance, coming at a time when the actor is playing an increasingly active role in conversations surrounding the promotion of Karnataka's coastal heritage, tourism, and film industry.