Clashes on film set, allegations of environmental damage: 'Kantara: Chapter 1' lacking divine charm?

The Kannada film Kantara, written, directed, and starring Rishab Shetty, has garnered immense popularity and critical acclaim. The film, which has broken box-office records globally, is set to release its prequel, Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1, on October 2, 2025. However, recent reports are raising concerns about the ongoing filming of the prequel.

The shooting for Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 is taking place in the Gavigudda forest region of Karnataka. Local residents have accused the film crew of damaging the forest, a claim that has sparked controversy.

According to Sanna Swamy, a member of the district panchayat, the locals are already grappling with issues such as wild elephant attacks, and now the filming is allegedly causing harm to the area’s wildlife, particularly bird species. Swamy also highlighted that, despite the Supreme Court’s directive to protect the forest, authorities have been negligent in their duties, exacerbating the situation.

Farmers in the region are already struggling with frequent elephant raids, and now there are concerns that the shooting is having a detrimental effect on local flora and fauna. Swamy has called for immediate action to prevent further damage to the ecosystem.

Tensions escalated when a group of locals clashed with the film crew during a shoot, resulting in a scuffle on set. One of the villagers was injured and later admitted to Crawford Hospital in Sakleshpur. The Yeslur police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

As of now, neither the film's producers nor Rishab Shetty have commented on the allegations.

A video for Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 was released on November 18 by Hombale Films, offering a glimpse into the prequel story. Being a prequel, the new film will delve into events that occurred before the first part of Kantara. Rishab Shetty will continue to play the central role in the film, both as an actor and director.

The controversies surrounding the shooting come at a time when anticipation for the film is high, and they add to the growing tension between the film industry and local communities regarding environmental concerns.