Pulamanthole, Kerala: As Kantara: Chapter 1 continues its rise as one of Indian cinema’s most talked-about films, Chemmalasseri native and Kalaripayattu master Vipin Das has also found himself in the spotlight. The actor-director of Kantara, Rishab Shetty, and his team trained in the traditional martial art at Athma Kalari VIllage in Chemmalasseri under Vipin Das's guidance.

The Kantara team underwent extensive training in meipayattu (body conditioning exercises), chuvadu (basic steps), kolthari (weapon techniques with sticks) and ankathari (sword and spear combat). Rishab’s search for a Kalari instructor began around three years ago, after Shetty reached out to Vipin Das to prepare for the physically demanding film.

In a show of commitment, Rishab Shetty moved from his residence in Bengaluru to his hometown of Kundapur to focus fully on the training. Vipin Das and his team then travelled there, set up a temporary Kalari space following the custom, and began systematic training that lasted for nearly two years. Only after this period of rigorous preparation did filming begin.

Shetty, having formally become a disciple of Vipin Das, mastered several traditional techniques, including those involving rare weapons. Vipin Das was also actively involved in pre-production discussions, especially when the script was being finalised, advising on authentic Kalari movements for the action sequences.

Notably, when Shetty suffered a shoulder injury during a stunt scene in the first part of Kantara, he recovered through traditional Kalari marma therapy (pressure point healing). For each scene, he consulted Vipin Das to better understand the required physicality and movements.

Several members of the Athma Kalari team – Gokul, Gopika, Vigilesh, and Anushree – were cast in notable roles in the film. Shetty has also requested support in setting up a Kalari school in his native village, recognising the impact the training had on his journey.

Vipin Das considers the experience of travelling and training with Shetty a significant milestone in his Kalari career. Chemmalasseri, known for its rare ‘kuzhi kalari’ (pit-style Kalari), continues to attract students from across India and abroad for both martial arts training and traditional healing. Among them was former Indian women's volleyball captain Minimol Abraham, who trained here for seven years.

Currently, Vipin Das is choreographing action sequences for Tovino Thomas’s upcoming film Pallichattambi. Despite growing fame and opportunities, he remains grounded, continuing his dedication to Kalari with discipline and humility.