Rishab Shetty is garnering praise for his commitment to performing his own stunts in "Kantara: Chapter 1," the prequel to the 2022 hit film Kantara. According to Arjun Raj, the film's action director, Shetty did not use a body double for any of the action sequences. Raj emphasized Shetty's dedication, stating that the actor trained in Kalaripayattu, sword fighting, and horse riding to prepare for the role. He often performed stunts bare-bodied, showcasing his raw commitment to the film.

Arjun Raj highlighted that Shetty's unique body language and sheer willpower made it impossible for a stunt double to replicate his performance. He noted that Shetty's dedication went beyond simply trying his best, with the actor committing to performing stunts until he was "alive".

"Kantara: Chapter 1" features a large-scale war sequence, described as one of the biggest in Indian cinema. This sequence involved over 500 skilled fighters and 3,000 extras and was filmed over 45–50 days on a specially created 25-acre set. National and international stunt experts designed the choreography for this massive action set piece. According to behind the scenes footage, a huge war sequence was shot inside a tunnel, requiring the construction of a separate set.

The film, backed by Hombale Films, is slated for a worldwide release on October 2, and will be available in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English. Rishab Shetty is not only the lead actor but also the writer and director of the film.

Despite the dedication of the team, the filming process has not been without hurdles. In January 2025, the film faced backlash and controversy over alleged environmental damage caused during shooting in the forest area of Gavigudda, Heruru village in Karnataka. Locals accused the crew of operating in protected forest zones and using explosives, which led to concerns about the safety of wildlife. There were even reports of altercations between the film crew and locals, with one person allegedly being attacked and injured. In response to the controversy, a case was registered at the Yesalur Police Station, and locals threatened to file a petition in the High Court if their concerns were not addressed.

Adding to the challenges, there were reports of on-set accidents during the film's production. In one incident, a junior assistant drowned during filming in Udupi's Kolleru village. Another accident involved a bus carrying junior artists overturning, resulting in injuries to several people.

Despite these difficulties, filming for "Kantara: Chapter 1" has wrapped up. The production house has described the film as a divine journey rooted in culture, brought to life through dedication and teamwork. The film aims to showcase the story of Shetty's homeland and its people.