Rishab Shetty's fifth directorial, the much-anticipated Kantara: Chapter 1, has been receiving critical acclaim and has been running with packed theatre houses ever since its release on Thursday. In an interview prior to the film's release, Rishab Shetty recalled his meeting with veteran actor Rajinikanth and said that he only had one regret.
Speaking to Behindwoods, the actor recalled the visit, likening meeting the star to seeing God. He said, "Rajini sir has always been someone who uplifts and encourages younger artists, and that’s what truly defines his seniority. After watching Kantara, he called me to his house, and that moment felt almost spiritual. It was like visiting a temple; seeing him in front of me felt like witnessing God in flesh and blood."
However, Rishab then added that he had one regret, which he has to date. "The only thing I regret about that day is not being able to wear a dhoti. In the photo, you can see me in pants because we were informed at the last minute and had to rush to catch a flight to his home. I still feel bad that Rajini sir was in a dhoti while I wasn’t. I usually prefer wearing dhotis for most occasions—I wear pants only when absolutely necessary.”
Back in 2022, when Rishab met Rajinikanth, he told Cinema Express that the superstar gifted him a gold chain with a Baba pendant. "This meeting and his token of love are a treasure to cherish forever. I also got his blessings. In an hour-long interaction, we discussed Kantara at length. He was curious to know how we shot certain scenes and said films like Kantara can happen once in 50 years."
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram in lead roles alongside Rishab Shetty. The film is currently inching towards earning Rs 170 crores in India alone. The film, set during the Kadamba dynasty in pre-colonial Karnataka, tells the legend of the sacred cave, called Kantara, and what led to the disappearance of Kadabettu Shiva and his father after the Buta Kola ritual.