A prequel for Kantara, set in 400 AD?

After tasting massive success with Kantara, Sandalwood actor-turned-director Rishab Shetty has reportedly set his next film, Kantara 2, in 400 AD. The realistic rural thriller will be a prequel and not a sequel to the well-received socio-fantasy.

“Producers are willing to pump in more than Rs 150 crore to meet the rising expectations around the action thriller. Actually, Kantara was made with a shoestring budget of Rs 14 crore, but it turned out to be a pan-India blockbuster, grossing over Rs 320 crore,” says a source.

“Rishab Shetty has written an engaging and gripping saga loaded with real-life incidents and characters to make the prequel a fascinating experience for viewers,” the source adds.

The actor, who was on the heavier side in Kantara, has lost 11 kilos by undergoing physical training and following dietary restrictions, to look fit and lean, according to the source.

“Kantara, set in the 1800s, is about how a King gives his forest lands to a demigod, who in turn gives it landless tribals. The King’s descendants return decades later to reclaim the land, but face the wrath of the deity,” the source recalls, adding, “Rishab’s emotional performance in the climax was one of the highlights of the film and the tribals’ fight against evil forces with the help of Lord Varaha was fascinating.”

Rishab Shetty’s elevation to pan-India status comes on the heels of his colleague Yash sweeping audiences off their feet with his KGF series. Kannada films have undoubtedly become hot favourites for Hindi audiences, as well as among Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam viewers.