‘There is no competition between us’: Raj B. Shetty on his equation with Rakshit and Rishab

Su From So, directed by J.P. Thuminad—who also plays a crucial role—has turned out to be a smashing hit at the Sandalwood box office, taking industry pundits by surprise.

The horror-comedy, elegantly set in rural Karnataka, also features the versatile Raj B. Shetty in an intriguing role. The film is being praised for its raw, rustic humor, with the chemistry between Shanil Gautham and Sandhya Arakere winning over audiences.

The movie is currently being dubbed into other languages, as its strong word-of-mouth publicity seems to have helped this small film hit the jackpot at the cinemas.

Raj B. Shetty on relationship with Rishab and Rakshit

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, filmmaker Raj B. Shetty opened up about his deep-rooted bond with fellow Kannada cinema stalwarts Rishab Shetty and Rakshit Shetty. Often dubbed the “RRR” of Sandalwood, the trio share more than just frequent collaborations—they form a close-knit creative brotherhood driven by mutual respect and a shared love for storytelling. Raj traced the origins of their bond to his 2021 lockdown-made film Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana. Apparently, after Raj showed the film to Rishab, Rakshit reached out the next day, offering to present it—marking what Raj considers a pivotal moment in their journey, as he revealed in the interview.

As is known, Raj, who grew up in Mangalore—far from the film industry's hub—never imagined being part of such a strong creative circle. He duly credits the relationship’s strength to a complete absence of ego or competition. “There’s no rivalry. Even after Su From So, Rakshit messaged me with genuine congratulations,” Raj shared in the interview with THRI, emphasizing the rarity of such pure connections in the industry. He proudly admits being a fan of Rakshit’s work and values their honest feedback loop.

The enviable camaraderie between the famed ‘Shetty’ brothers of Kannada cinema will ultimately benefit the industry, as it sets the stage perfectly for creative collaborations with endless possibilities.