The production of "Kantara: Chapter 1," the prequel to the critically acclaimed 2022 film "Kantara," has been plagued by a series of unfortunate events, leading some to speculate about a possible curse on the sets. From accidents involving the crew to environmental controversies and even fatalities, the film's journey to the big screen has been far from smooth.
One of the most tragic incidents occurred when a junior artist, M.F. Kapil, drowned in the Kollur Souparnika River during a break from filming. This prompted a temporary halt in production while authorities investigated the circumstances of his death. Just weeks prior, a bus carrying junior artists had overturned near Kollur, though, fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
Adding to the woes, a massive set constructed for the film was destroyed due to unfavorable weather conditions, causing further delays and financial setbacks. There have also been accusations of environmental damage, with reports suggesting that the crew exceeded permitted filming boundaries and used explosives in protected forest areas. This led to confrontations with locals, allegations of violence, and a formal complaint being filed.
More recently, a boat carrying director-actor Rishab Shetty and 30 crew members capsized in Karnataka's Mani reservoir during a shoot. While everyone escaped unharmed, the incident resulted in the loss of cameras and other filming equipment. Prior to this incident, actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju passed away due to a heart attack while shooting for the film in Bengaluru.
The repeated mishaps have understandably raised concerns about safety and working conditions on the set. AICW (All Indian Cine Workers Association ) has asked for a full report regarding safety measures taken on set and threatened to halt film production if the report comes back as unsatisfactory.
Despite the numerous challenges, the film's producer, Chaluve Gowda, has dismissed claims of a curse. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Gowda clarified that the misfortunes were not directly related to the set, except for a fire incident. He attributed the events to the scale of the project and emphasized that the crew are God-fearing people who perform daily pujas and seek blessings from the deities.
Gowda revealed that the team had consulted the Daivas (deities) before announcing the film and were warned of potential obstacles, but also assured of success. He stated, "Before the announcement of the Kantara Chapter one, we met the Panjurli and sought the Daiva's opinion, Panch. Their answer was, 'You do this; there will be a few obstacles, but it will be successful.'".
"Kantara: Chapter 1" is a prequel to the 2022 hit film, delving deeper into the origins of the divine tradition and ancestral conflict. The film is set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka and explores the ancient roots of the Bhuta Kola ritual and the mythological lore surrounding divine land guardianship. Filming began in November 2023, and the movie is slated for release on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.
Despite the setbacks, the producers have affirmed that the film remains on track for its scheduled release. The film is being produced by Hombale Films as a large-scale pan-India project and features Rishab Shetty in the lead role.
