Is Kantara Chapter 1 Sets Cursed? Producer Says 'Whatever Misfortune Happened...'

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Kantara, made on a ₹15 crore budget, grossed over ₹400 crore in 2021. Its prequel, directed by Rishab Shetty, faced delays and accidents, sparking 'curse' rumours.
They say some stories aren't just told, they're lived, feared, and whispered about for generations. For Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1, it's not just the breathtaking visuals or raw performances that grab you but it's the shadow of an age-old curse that seems to haunt every frame. Nearly two years after filming began, the much-anticipated prequel to the 2021 blockbuster Kantara finally wrapped production. But the journey to the finish line was marked by multiple accidents and delays, fuelling online chatter about a supposed 'curse" on the set. Producer Chaluve Gowda has now spoken out about the same.
Is Kantara Chapter 1 cursed?
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Gowda denied that any supernatural influence was at play. 'I want to clarify whatever misfortune thing happened, nothing happened on the set. It was just because the movie was so big, everything got connected," he said. 'Except for one fire incident, which is the only thing that happened on set, everything else was unconnected."
Gowda further said that the team had sought spiritual guidance before starting the project. 'We are all God-fearing people. Of course, every day we do puja and approach the daivas and take their blessings first, before we do anything," he said. '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.'"
Shooting in challenging terrain
The majority of the film was shot on location in the forests of coastal Karnataka. Gowda described the demanding conditions saying, 'It was all interior forests. The crew used to get up at four o'clock, get ready by 4:30 and travel to reach the spot for a six o'clock schedule. 80% of the movie was shot at real locations. All were away from the cities, which is so difficult. And then, there was unexpected weather. Some of the action sequences we shot in the rain, because we did not want to waste time."
Gowda acknowledged the frustration caused by the prolonged schedule but said the results justified the effort. 'We can't blame anyone. Sometimes we used to be frustrated as to why it's taken so long. But when we see the output. That is so good, we are assured that we are not wasting time."
A string of accidents
The production's challenges included a series of unrelated mishaps. In November 2024, a bus carrying crew members met with an accident near Kollur, Karnataka, though no injuries were reported. Two months later, in January 2025, a fire broke out while filming a large war sequence; again, no serious injuries occurred.
In April 2025, a crew member drowned during a break in shooting. Then in June, a boat carrying Rishab Shetty and other cast members capsized during filming. While there were no casualties, filming equipment, including cameras, was lost to the water.
About the film
The original Kantara, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, became a nationwide phenomenon in 2021. Made on a budget of Rs 15 crore, the Kannada mythological thriller grossed over Rs 400 crore, paving the way for a prequel. Kantara Chapter 1, also led by Shetty, went on floors close to two years ago but faced repeated schedule interruptions. The filming concluded in July 2025. Kantara Chapter 1 is now in post-production. The film, featuring Rishab Shetty alongside Jayaram, Rakesh Poojari, and Rukmini Vasanth, is slated for a theatrical release on October 2.
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