Rishab Shetty on National Award win: Motivation for upcoming actors, filmmakers

Kannada actor Rishab Shetty reflected on his Best Actor win at the 70th National Film Awards and how it boosts recognition for regional cinema.

In Short

• Rishab Shetty won Best Actor at the 70th National Film Awards for Kantara
• He believes the win will inspire the next generation of actors and filmmakers
• Kantara was released in 2022 and became a box-office blockbuster

Kannada actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has added another feather to his cap as his film, Kantara, earned him the Best Actor award and also won the Best Popular Film for Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 70th National Film Awards. The actor, who both wrote and directed the film, expressed his gratitude after the ceremony in New Delhi, acknowledging the award as a symbol of national recognition for the Kannada film industry.

"I feel extremely proud and glad to have received the National Award, as it gives recognition to Kannada cinema. It also serves as a motivation for the upcoming generations of actors and filmmakers in regional industries to push boundaries and seek national recognition," Shetty said.

He further added, "For us, winning such an award comes with a responsibility. It urges us to strive harder, pursue excellence, and bring more meaningful stories to the screen."

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While talking about the treatment given to the story during the making of the film, Rishab said, “This film was about our Daiva (deity), and the conflict between man and nature was an important aspect of the film. More regional is more global is something I always felt, and I had the belief that a core, rooted content would connect to all audiences. But I never imagined that it would blow up this much.”

Kantara, set in the coastal village of Keradi in Karnataka, emerged as a blockbuster hit in 2022, capturing the essence of local folklore and traditions. The film became the second-highest-grossing Kannada film after KGF: Chapter 2 and was the fourth highest-grossing Indian film that year. Made on a budget of Rs 16 crore, the film went on to rake in over Rs 400 crore at the worldwide box office.

Beyond its box office triumph, Kantara received critical acclaim, earning the Silver Peacock – Special Jury Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India. Rishab Shetty is now gearing up for Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel that aims to expand on the film’s legacy and the first look and teaser was released on November 27, 2023.