Gulshan Devaiah talks about ‘authentic storytelling’ and his fulfilling collaboration with Rishabh Shetty in 'Kantara: Chapter 1'

Actor Gulshan Devaiah, currently being hailed for his performance as King Kulashekara in Kantara: Chapter 1, recently spoke about his deep creative connection with Rishabh Shetty, the actor, writer and director behind the blockbuster project. This highly awaited prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara is one of the key collaborations between the two influential talents best known for their commitment to authentic storytelling.

Gulshan’s portrayal of King Kulashekara has been widely appreciated, marking not only a memorable collaboration with Shetty but also his grand debut in the Kannada film industry, a debut he describes as “the best one could hope for.”

Opening up about how their connection began years before this film came into being, Gulshan said that he and Rishabh first met in 2019, long before Kantara: Chapter 1 was even conceived and had spoken about potentially working together.

Talking further about his first meeting with Rishab, Gulshan said, “Rishabh met me through a common friend, PD Sathish Chandra and expressed his desire to work with me. I didn’t know who he was in 2019, but I liked meeting him very much. He was sincere, a lover of cinema and very passionate about telling his stories. I was immediately attracted by that energy. The first few projects discussed, in which I was to be a leading actor, didn’t work out for a variety of reasons.”

What began as a creative conversation and a mutual admiration between two artists eventually turned into a fulfilling collaboration years later with Kantara: Chapter 1.

Looking back on this journey, Gulshan further added, “When Rishabh and I first met, I remember we instantly connected as artists. There was a lot of mutual admiration and respect for each other’s work. We spoke about the idea of collaborating someday, and though we didn’t know in what capacity or when it would happen, there was a shared intention that something would bring us together. That manifestation took shape with Kantara: Chapter 1."

"Working with Rishabh has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my career. He’s an exceptional storyteller, someone who approaches his stories with great passion, honesty and sincerity. He leads by example and brings out the best in everyone around him. Our shared love for authenticity and meaningful storytelling made this collaboration very natural. Kantara: Chapter 1 is not just a film; it’s proof of what happens when artists from different journeys come together with one vision to create something that stays with the audience long after the lights go out.”

The prequel, produced by Hombale Films and directed by Rishabh Shetty, continues to perform well at the theatres globally, and the audience is hailing its rich storytelling, rooted performances and spiritual depth. The movie has crossed over Rs 500 crore at the box office and continues to pull audiences to the theatres.