Rishab Shetty’s Kantara wins Special Jury Award at IFFI

Team Udayavani, Nov 28, 2023, 8:37 PM IST

Panaji: Rishab Shetty’s Kannada blockbuster Kantara has won the Special Jury Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India being held in Goa.

In a post on X, IFFI wrote, “Earning a mention from the Jury is always significant, and this year, @shetty_rishab attains the Special Jury Award at #IFFI54 for his film Kantara. What a memorable moment!”

Rishab won the jury’s accolades for his stellar performance and fantastic storytelling in Kantara.

Rishab rthanked the jury for their consideration and encouragement. “Thank you #IFFI54 for bestowing the ‘Special Jury Award’ to Kantara,” on X.

Thank you #IFFI54 for bestowing the ‘Special Jury Award’ to Kantara.
ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.#Kantara #Kantarachapter1@hombalefilms pic.twitter.com/APFy4mfYWc

— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) November 28, 2023

Shetty received critical acclaim for writing, directing and starring in ”Kantara”, a Kannada period action thriller that was released in 2022.

The movie, which is being screened at the IFFI as part of the international competition, is set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada and follows a Kambala champion, played by Shetty, who comes to loggerheads with an upright Forest Range officer, Murali.

He is now looking forward to ”Kantara: Chapter 1”, the prequel to the blockbuster hit. The makers unveiled the first look of the movie on Thursday.

Shetty said filmmakers often talk at length about their movie projects. ”But for Kantara: Chapter 1, I don’t want to talk, people should talk about it. Our concentration should be on the work,” he said.

The actor-director said that his film competing with other international feature films is “most proud moment” which was possible due to the support that was received for the film.

In the entire journey of ”Kantara”, the community performing Kola rituals was with him, he added.

“The film is based on our belief system. My family performs the ritual and we believe in it. I have seen people mocking the ritual by performing it on the stage. The community gets hurt because of that. I request people not to hurt the community,” Shetty said.

He said that he never faced a language barrier for ”Kantara”. “When content is good then the people accept it,” Shetty added.

Post ”Kantara”, the actor-director said he received several offers from non-Kannada filmmakers.

“I was a fan of some of them. But I refused them. I don’t want to leave the Kannada film industry. I am always grateful to the Kannada audience,” Shetty said.

(With PTI inputs)