At a press conference held in Kochi, actor and director Rishab Shetty opened up about his admiration for Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, describing a personal and emotional connection with the actor. Shetty said, "I am a huge fan of Mohanlal. Whenever I see Lalettan, I feel he is like one of our own. He feels like a relative to me. There is a strong emotional bond between us." He also revealed that Mohanlal was like a family member to him.

Shetty was among the first celebrities to congratulate Mohanlal when the veteran actor was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. "My all-time favourite actor in Kannada cinema is Dr. Rajkumar, but when I watch Lalettan in Malayalam films, I feel a sense of pride, as if he is from my own place. I even shared a post on social media through my team congratulating him immediately after hearing the news of the award," Shetty said.

Recalling a personal encounter, Rishab added, "I once met Lalettan at Kollur Mookambika temple and have shared the photograph taken at that moment."

‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ to Release on October 2; Rishab Shetty’s Latest Directorial Venture

The eagerly awaited film Kantara: Chapter 1, directed by Rishab Shetty, is set for release on October 2. This movie serves as a prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. Reports suggest that the film will be released on over 7,000 screens across India, covering multiple languages including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and English.

Produced by Hombale Films, the distribution rights for Kerala have been acquired by Prithviraj Productions.

A Cinematic Phenomenon with a Modest Budget

Compared to typical Kannada productions, the first installment of Kantara was made on a relatively small budget yet achieved remarkable success at the box office. Following its initial release, the film was dubbed and released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, English, and Tulu, all of which garnered impressive box office collections.

The shooting of Kantara: Chapter 1, written and directed by Rishab Shetty, spanned over three years, reflecting the dedication invested into the project.