s the Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has reached a significant milestone, completing 100 days since the film began its journey with audiences worldwide. He took to social media to thank his team and viewers, highlighting the film’s growing international presence and its Oscar qualification.
“100 days of Kantara: Chapter 1! I’m grateful to my team and to everyone who supported us with so much love. I feel incredibly proud that the film has reached audiences around the world and is now Oscar-qualified,” Rishab Shetty wrote.
This milestone is the latest feather in the cap of the Kantara universe. The original 2022 film, Kantara, was appreciated for its grounded storytelling, folk spirituality, and authentic performances. Now, Kantara: Chapter 1, has been described as an prequel that properly deepens the mythology and cultural context of that world.
The Oscar qualification places the film in a rare category for Kannada cinema. It opens the door for international visibility and broader discussions about Indian regional storytelling on a global stage. While qualification does not guarantee a nomination, it allows the film to be officially considered in the Academy Awards race, energizing fans and the industry alike.
Backed by Vijay Kiragandur’s Hombale Films, the film features an experienced technical team, including cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, costume designer Pragathi Shetty, production designer Vinesh Banglan, editor Suresh Mallaiah, and music composer B Ajaneesh Loknath.
The film stars Rishab Shetty along with Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah, among an ensemble cast. As a prequel to the Kantara (2022), the story of Kantara: Chapter 1 goes deeper into the origins of the traditions and ancestral conflicts introduced in the first film.
