Rukmini Vasanth's powerful, yet evocative portrayal as Kanakavathi in Rishab Shetty's blockbuster Kantara: Chapter 1 has been receiving applause for her dedication to the role, capturing both the intelligence of a princess and a hint of dark charm.
She recently took to her Instagram account to share a few behind-the-scenes stills from the film that showed both these sides. The first photo had her in warrior attire with blood all over her face. The following pictures showed her learning to fit into the role of the complex character, by drawing flow charts and diagrams to understand Kanakavathi, taking horse-riding lessons and grabbing a few last-minute suggestions from director Rishab Shetty.
In a recent interview with Cinema Express, Rukmini said, "My strong suit has always been dialogue and drama, which is my comfort zone. Kanakavathi challenged me a lot, and I learned sword fighting, dance, and horse riding for the film. Similarly, I enjoyed learning to surf for Baanadariyalli."
Earlier, a video montage of Rishab's intense transformation as Berme was shared with audiences where he was seen undertaking kalaripayattu lessons, along with heavy gym training and horse riding sessions. It also showed his multiple injuries, reflecting his commitment for the film. The makers had also released a video of Rishab getting ready with heavy prosthetic make-up as 'Maayakara', the mysterious old man who helps Berme in times of need.
Kantara: Chapter 1 has been winning unanimous praise for its narrative, performances, storytelling, craft and visual extravaganza. The film has crossed the Rs 800 crore mark worldwide and is set for a wider English release on October 31. It is produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films. The production house has also planned to submit the prequel for Oscar consideration, aiming to share this uniquely Indian story with a global audience. The film has also locked its OTT release date on Prime Video.
A prequel to the 2022 Rishab Shetty directorial, Kantara, the film also features the director in the lead role as Kaadubettu Shiva. Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram are new additions to the cast, who are seen in prominent roles. Pramod Shetty, Rakesh Poojari, Prakash Thuminad, Deepak Rai Panaje, Hariprashanth MG, Shaneel Gautham and Naveen Bondel round out the cast of the film.
Kantara: Chapter 1, set during the Kadamba dynasty in pre-colonial Karnataka, follows the Bhuta Kola ritual, which became deeply rooted in the culture, laying the groundwork for the emergence of Kaadubettu Shiva. It dives into the reason behind the disappearance of Shiva's father and the history of Kantara - the forests and the deities in the area.
