Mumbai
The makers of Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to Rishab Shetty’s blockbuster, have begun unveiling the cast. On Tuesday, August 19, Hombale Films released the first look of actor Gulshan Devaiah as Kulashekara. In the poster, he appears in a striking royal avatar—seated on a throne, adorned with jewellery, a crown, and dressed like a king.
The reveal has sparked fresh excitement among fans, who are eager to know more about his role and its link to the storyline. Several Bollywood stars, including Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Meiyang Chang, and Wamiqa Gabbi, praised Devaiah’s regal look in the comments section. This announcement comes shortly after the makers confirmed that the film’s shooting had wrapped. Sharing a poster, Hombale Films wrote, Wrap Up… The Journey Begins. KantaraChapter1 has been a divine journey, rooted in culture, shaped with hard work and team spirit.
Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, the film will take viewers back in time to trace the origins of the narrative introduced in the first Kantara. Shetty will reprise his role, and his new poster—released on his 42nd birthday—showed him as a fierce tribal warrior, hinting at a powerful backstory.
The original Kantara, released in 2022, was set in a coastal Karnataka village and told the story of a Kambala champion’s clash with a forest officer. The film became a pan-India success and earned Shetty the National Award for Best Actor. Kantara: Chapter 1 is set to release on October 2, 2025.
