Jr NTR Lauds Rishab Shetty's 'Kantara' Vision: A Childhood Dream Brought to Life

Young Tiger Jr NTR delivered a deeply personal and heartfelt speech at the pre-release event for Kantara: Chapter 1 , expressing profound admiration for director and actor Rishab Shetty. The star revealed how the film taps into a childhood fascination with coastal Karnataka's folklore, elevating it to a spectacular cinematic experience. Recounting his earliest memories, Jr NTR shared how stories from his Kundapura home, narrated by his grandmother, ignited a lifelong curiosity. I must have been about three or four years old when my grandmother first told me stories back in our home in Kundapura, he shared. I used to wonder whether they were true or just myths, but I loved them deeply. Whenever she narrated them, I felt a sense of wonder. I d think, What is this Guliga play? Who are these Panjurlis? I have to see them at least once in my life. That fascination stayed with me since childhood. The Devara actor confessed he never imagined those very tales would be translated onto the silver screen, crediting Rishab Shetty for the achievement. The War 2 star labeled him a very rare breed of director and actor. I never imagined that someone would take those very stories and bring them to life on the big screen. That someone is Rishab, he asserted. He praised the Sandalwood actor's comprehensive control over the film, stating, He dominated everyone involved in all 24 crafts of filmmaking. If it weren t for Rishab , no one else could have made this film on such a grand scale. The initial Kantara film left a lasting impact on Jr NTR, who grew up hearing the legends. When I saw those tales which I heard during childhood unfold in Kantara, I was speechless, he said. He emphasized the universal appeal of the film's narrative: If it had such a profound effect on me, someone who grew up with these stories—imagine its impact on someone experiencing them for the first time. That s the power of Kantara. Kantara: Chapter 1 releases in theatres on October 2nd . Also Read : Trailer for Rakshit Atluri's 'Sasivadane' is an Emotional and Romantic Treat Hollywood Stunt Artists Lead the Charge in Vishal's Makutam