Did you know that actor Puneeth Rajkumar was initially offered the lead role in Rishab Shetty’s most recent blockbuster Kannada film, Kantara? Yes, Puneeth Rajkumar was told the story of Kantara by Rishab, but due to his hectic schedule and other commitments at work, he could not accept it.
“It all happened in a blink of an eye. Soon after I narrated the story to him, he got very excited about the project. He wanted to explore different stories. But, his other projects continued to keep him away from Kantara. One day, he called and asked me to go ahead with the film without him. He told me that if I waited for him, I might not be able to do the film that year,” The same was revealed in a recent interview by Rishab Shetty.
In the movie, Shiva himself was portrayed by Rishab Shetty and went ahead with Kantara. Rishab was present at the pre-release screening of Bajarangi 2 when Puneeth asked him about the film (Kantara) just two days prior; he passed away.
Rishab recalled the same and stated, “He enquired me about the project and asked me not to compromise on my vision for the film. I showed him a few still pictures from the shoot. He was very happy for me. And he told me he was eager to watch the film.”
In the movie, Rishab has always wanted to portray Shiva himself. However, Shetty came up with the concept of Powerstar Puneeth a few months before production began. “I felt beside me, Appu sir will fit the role beautifully. Especially in the scenes of the buffalo race. But I was particular about one thing. I wanted Appu sir to master the coastal Karnataka dialect, and I was wondering whether he will allot so much time at such short notice,” according to Rishab Shetty.
On October 14th, Kantara was released in Kannada and then in Hindi. Rishab Shetty wrote and helmed the movie. Kantara, a film produced by Vijay Kiragandur with Chaluve Gowda under the banner of Hombale Films, has broken many box office records.
Source: Indian Express
