Kantara: Chapter 1, the mythological action drama directed by Rishab Shetty, has garnered considerable attention for its gripping storyline and performances. From Rishab to Rukmini Vasanth, every cast member gave their best to the film. While the audience was left spellbound after the release, there was a special person who clapped loudly in celebration of Kantara: Chapter 1‘s success. The person was Rishab’s beloved, Pragathi Shetty. The film, released on October 2, 2025, became a blockbuster, grossing Rs. 150 crore worldwide. In a recent interview, the National Award winner called his wife, Pragathi, his biggest supporter.
Kantara: Chapter 1 director, Rishab Shetty, calls his wife, Pragathi Shetty, his ‘biggest supporter’
In a recent interview with Hollywood Reporter India, Rishab Shetty, the writer and director of the Kannada mythological action drama, Kantara and its prequel Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, has opened up about how much his wife, Pragathi Shetty, means to him and his journey as a filmmaker. He shared that Pragathi played a key role behind the scenes.
Pragathi took on several personal and spiritual responsibilities, while the director focused on making blockbusters. Rishab revealed that whenever he left for shooting, she would start her prayers, performing rituals to ensure everything on the shooting floor went smoothly. He also credited her constant faith as one of the main reasons he was able to complete his ambitious project. In his words:
“She’s a big support. Whenever I left for shooting, her prayers would begin. If it weren’t for Pragathi, my wife, I wouldn’t have been able to finish this film.”
Rishab Shetty’s wife, Pragathi Shetty, looked after the kids when the former went for shooting
In the same interview, Rishab mentioned how his wife, Pragathi, took full charge of the household. She managed the family’s day-to-day activities for almost five years. For the uninitiated, the principal photography of the first film, Kantara, began in 2021, followed by the shooting and release of the prequel in 2025. To support Rishab’s demanding schedule, the Shetty family shifted to Kundapur, where their children continued their schooling for nearly five years.
From taking care of the children to handling their studies, Pragathi did it all. He added that their kids are still studying in Kundapur, and they will decide later whether to move back to Bangalore after the academic year ends in March. He was quoted as saying:
“For 5 years, she managed the kids’ schooling, and all of it, we had shifted to Kundapur. The kids are studying there. Even now, till March, their school is there. After that, we’ll decide whether to move back to Bangalore or not.”
More about Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1
Directed by Rishab Shetty, Kantara: Chapter 1 has been released in multiple languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, and English. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films, the film is a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster, Kantara. The mythological action drama transports the audience back to the Kadamba dynasty, delving into the untold story of ‘Shiva’s’ ancestors. The story revolves around ‘Berme’, one of ‘Shiva’s’ ancestors and the leader of the ‘Kantara’ tribe. The movie explores the mythological roots and conflicts that shaped the legacy established in the original film.
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