'Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1' our most ambitious project yet: Hombale Films' Vijay Kiragandur

The makers of Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 have announced the completion of the much-anticipated prequel directed by Rishab Shetty. Additionally, the team shared a behind-the-scenes video to offer fans a glimpse into the extensive efforts that went into the production.

Meanwhile, producer Vijay Kiragandur, of Hombale Films, has in an exclusive interaction with entertainment outlet Variety, said that they made it a priority to channel all their focus on Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 at the moment, taking extra effort in terms of budget and logistics, to ensure that Rishab shot the film with the necessary privacy and peace of mind. The company built an entire studio to guarantee complete creative control for Rishab.

“The studio was born out of both creative necessity and practical limitations. We scoured Karnataka for a facility that could house an elaborate palace set with intricate interiors, but none met our requirements in terms of scale or infrastructure. What began as one studio floor quickly expanded into a full-fledged facility,” he says, adding, “Building our own studio allowed us complete creative control, streamlined production timelines, reduced travel costs — and most importantly — gave our director, Rishab Shetty, the peace of mind to realise his vision uncompromised. It became a catalyst for the film’s authenticity.”

Kiragandur claims Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 to be their "most ambitious" project to date, and proceeds to explain why. "The scale of effort, from the number of shoot days to the sheer volume of manpower, far surpasses anything we’ve previously undertaken. But beyond logistics, this film holds a deeply personal place in our hearts. It’s the kind of cinema we’ve always dreamed of creating."

Kiragandur elaborated that their goal was not only cultural preservation, but also balancing that with emotionally resonant storytelling prowess. Expressing his confidence in Rishab's abilities, the producer shares, “We had full faith in Rishab Shetty, the driving force behind Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1. Whether it was his acting, writing, or direction, his talent played a pivotal role in shaping everything we created.”

Slated for release on October 2, 2025, Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 will be released in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and English.

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