Hombale Films' upcoming prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, is generating considerable buzz, and action-stunt choreographer Arjun Raj has shared insights into the film's ambitious action sequences, stating that the film will demonstrate the power of Indian action on a global scale. Raj, who designed four major action stretches in the film, worked alongside stunt duo Ram-Lakshman and Hollywood action director Todor Lazarov, who handled the large-scale war sequences.

Raj wasn't initially part of the project but was brought on board after expressing his desire to be involved in something significant. He initially was tasked with choreographing one sequence, but his dedication led to him being assigned four major action blocks. These include a carriage chase, a massive war scene, a pre-climax battle, and the climax fight.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is set a thousand years ago, requiring the action sequences to be original and organic to that time period. Raj explained that they couldn't simply copy action from existing films and that every move had to feel authentic to the historical setting. One example he cited was a carriage sequence involving Rishab Shetty and over a thousand junior artists, which he described as the riskiest stunt he's ever designed. The film also utilizes Hollywood-style rigging techniques, which is a rarity in Indian productions.

The war sequence in Kantara: Chapter 1 is particularly масштабный, involving over 500 skilled fighters and a total cast of nearly 3,000. It was filmed across 25 acres of rugged terrain in Karnataka over a period of 45–50 days. Raj noted that the pre-climax battle was his personal favorite, emphasizing the emotional depth of the scene. He said it wasn't just about swords clashing but also conveyed emotion, loss, and triumph in every movement, with Rishab Shetty's performance serving as the "heartbeat" of it all.

Rishab Shetty, who is also the director and writer of the film, committed himself to performing risky stunts without using body doubles. He underwent training in Kalaripayattu, sword fighting, and horse riding to ensure the action felt real and rooted in tradition. Raj praised Shetty's dedication, noting that the actor's commitment to performing the stunts himself elevated every fight sequence.

Kantara: Chapter 1 is produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the Hombale Films banner. The film is set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka and will delve deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on October 2, 2025, in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English. AA Films will distribute the film in North India, Prithviraj Productions will handle distribution in Kerala, and Phars Films will manage overseas distribution.