Production of Kantara: Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 Kannada blockbuster Kantara, encountered a serious scare on Saturday when a boat carrying actor-director Rishab Shetty and 30 crew members capsized in the Mani reservoir, located in the Shivamogga district’s Hosanagara taluk. Fortunately, due to the shallow depth near Melina Koppa, all individuals onboard swam to safety.
According to Thirthahalli police, the incident took place in a less dangerous stretch of the reservoir, averting what could have been a tragedy. While there were no injuries, filming equipment, including cameras, was reportedly lost to the waters. The total extent of material damage is still under evaluation.
Local authorities, including the police and forest officials, had given clearance for filming at the site, according to the production house, Hombale Films. An official investigation is currently underway.
Set Disruption Due to Weather
The same weekend, heavy rains and strong winds lashed the region, temporarily halting shooting. A film set erected near the backwaters of the Varahi river, including a constructed ship backdrop, was damaged in the downpour.
“The ship set collapsed due to high-speed winds, but our crew was stationed far from the waterbody. No one was injured, and we resumed shooting the next day,” said Adarsh, executive producer of Hombale Films.
The team emphasized that all safety protocols had been followed, with permissions secured from Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) and the local panchayat.
A Series of Unsettling Incidents
The boat incident is only the latest in a troubling string of events for the film’s unit. In the past month, three individuals associated with the project have died in unrelated but unfortunate circumstances.
One of the deceased, MF Kapil, a junior artist, allegedly drowned in the Souparnika river near Kollur, Udupi district. The incident reportedly occurred during a personal excursion and not during official shooting hours, according to the production team.
About the Film
Kantara: Chapter 1 is written and directed by Rishab Shetty, who won the National Award for Best Actor last year. The film explores the mythological and cultural roots behind the events of the 2022 original, positioning itself as a spiritual and narrative prequel.
The movie is slated for a theatrical release on October 2, 2025, and is being produced by Hombale Films, the banner behind hits like KGF and Salaar.