2022 Indian sleeper hit “Kantara” may have started as a regional Kannada-language film, but its massive success transformed Hombale Films‘ trajectory overnight. Now, producer Vijay Kiragandur is doubling down with “Kantara: Chapter 1,” a prequel that he says pushes every boundary the company has previously set.
Kiragandur has also shared a behind-the-scenes video with Variety.
Made on a modest budget of $1.96 million, “Kantara,” written, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, went on to amass some $50 million with dubbed versions in several Indian languages.
The decision to construct an entire studio for the prequel speaks to the scale of ambition driving this project.
“The studio was born out of both creative necessity and practical limitations,” Kiragandur explains. “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.”
The investment proved strategic beyond mere logistics. “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 realize his vision uncompromised. It became a catalyst for the film’s authenticity.”
That authenticity extends to the film’s core themes, which dig deeper into the spiritual and mythological elements that resonated so powerfully in the original. “The spiritual resonance of the first film was a guiding force as we shaped ‘Chapter 1,’” Kiragandur notes. “The audience’s response to ‘Kantara’ gave us clarity — we knew we had to honor that legacy with focused storytelling.”
“Instead of pursuing multiple projects simultaneously, we chose to channel all our energy into this one,” Kiragandur adds. “Though we’re in advanced stages with other pan-India films, our commitment to ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ took precedence.”
The upcoming pan-India projects include “Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam,” the sequel to Prashanth Neel’s 2023 blockbuster “Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire,” starring Prabhas, which was one of the biggest Indian hits of 2023. Hombale is no stranger to blockbusters, being the studio behind Neel’s Yash starrers “K.G.F: Chapter 1” (2018) and “K.G.F: Chapter 2” (2022), with the latter being the fifth highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Kiragandur produces for Hombale alongside Chaluve Gowda.
Kiragandur acknowledges the inherent challenge of balancing cultural authenticity with commercial ambitions, but frames it as an opportunity rather than a constraint. “Cultural legacy isn’t a pressure point for us — it’s a compass,” he says. “By staying true to our narrative, the talent behind it, and the emotions it carries, we’re confident that authenticity will shine through on screen.”
Central to that confidence is writer-director-star Rishab Shetty, whose multifaceted involvement mirrors his approach to the original film. “We had full faith in Rishab Shetty, the driving force behind ‘Kantara: Chapter 1.’ Whether it was his acting, writing, or direction, his talent played a pivotal role in shaping everything we created.”
The project’s scope extends beyond entertainment into cultural preservation, addressing themes that Kiragandur considers essential to contemporary discourse. “One of the most important aspects of “Kantara” is its focus on preserving nature and raising the conversation around land ownership — a subject deeply meaningful to us.”
This commitment to cultural storytelling positions the film within Hombale’s broader mission to elevate Indian narratives on a global stage. “More than regional, ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ is about Indian storytelling,” Kiragandur emphasizes. “Our research frequently led us to marvel at the vast cultural and narrative tapestry this country holds. We could create years of content purely from its untold stories.”
The producer sees untapped potential in India’s rich heritage, noting that “very few filmmakers have dared to explore this territory — perhaps because there’s no Western blueprint to follow. But we don’t see that as a limitation. We see it as a calling.”
While remaining modest about specific production moments that crystallized the film’s exceptional scope, Kiragandur expresses confidence that audiences will recognize the achievement. “There have been several moments, but we’ll let the film speak for itself. We genuinely believe it will leave audiences stunned — not just by the scale, but by the soul.”
When pressed about what distinguishes this production from Hombale’s previous efforts, Kiragandur’s response captures the full weight of the undertaking: “‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ is undoubtedly our most ambitious project to date — and there are several reasons why. The scale of effort, from the number of shoot days to the sheer volume of manpower, far surpasses anything we’ve undertaken before. 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. At Hombale, our vision has always been to bring Indian cultural roots to life through storytelling. We’ve long aspired to create something for this generation — and for generations to come — that makes them proud of India’s rich heritage.”
“Kantara: Chapter 1” releases Oct. 2 in the Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and English languages.
Watch the behind-the-scenes video here:
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