“Rishab Shetty didn’t use Body Double. He performed bare-bodied with a body language so distinct no dupe could replicate it.” Says the Action Director of Hombale Films’ upcoming film Kantara: Chapter 1!

Hombale Films’ highly anticipated Kantara: Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films by the masses. Following the phenomenal success of Kantara in 2022—hailed as the biggest sleeper hit with record-breaking box office numbers, the prequel promises to take the legacy forward, only heightening the excitement among audiences. As the film is the biggest film of the year, Rishab Shetty is leaving no stone unturned to give his best and has performed his stunts by himself without any body double.

The action–stunt choreographer of Kantara: Chapter 1, Arjun Raj informed, “We didn’t use body doubles for Rishab. He performed bare-bodied, with a body language so distinct no dupe could replicate it. He trained in Kalaripayattu, sword fighting, and horse riding. Still, the risks he took was out of pure willpower. I’ve worked with many actors, but Rishab doesn’t stop at ‘I’ll try my best.’ He says, ‘I’ll do it till I am alive.’ That spirit changes everything.”

Kantara: Chapter 1 is one of Hombale Films’ most ambitious undertakings. The creative team includes music director B. Ajaneesh Loknath, cinematographer Arvind Kashyap, and production designer Vinesh Banglan, all of whom have shaped the film’s powerful visual and emotional narrative.

Moreover, Hombale Films is leaving no stone unturned in carrying forward the legacy of this 2022 masterpiece. The makers have curated an extensive war sequence for Kantara: Chapter 1 with national and international specialists, involving over 500 skilled fighters and featuring 3,000 people. This sequence was filmed in an entire town spanning 25 acres on rugged terrain, over a period of 45–50 days, making it one of the biggest sequences in the history of Indian cinema.

Scheduled for a worldwide release on October 2, the film will launch in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English, reaching audiences across languages and regions while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural core.

With Kantara: Chapter 1, Hombale Films continues to push the boundaries of Indian cinema, promising a deeply immersive experience that celebrates folklore, faith, and cinematic excellence.