Kannada actor Rishab Shetty is currently busy shooting for ‘Kantara: Chapter 1,’ the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 blockbuster hit Kantara. Unfortunately, the production has come to an abrupt halt following the tragic death of a junior artist.
According to the reports, a 32-year-old junior artist named M.F. Kapil, who is a native of Kerala, drowned in the Souparnika River in Kollur. This tragic incident happened on Wednesday when Kapil went for a swim during a lunch break. It is reported that the incident happened around 3:45 PM when he was swept away by a strong current.
Rescue operations by local authorities and the fire department began searching for the body, and it was later found that evening. A case has been filed, and police are currently investigating the incident. This unfortunate incident has been a setback for the team and has halted the shoot.
However, this is not the first mishap to happen for the production. Earlier, in November, a minibus carrying several junior artistes overturned in Mudoor, Jadkal, causing multiple injuries and halting the shoot. Also earlier, severe weather of heavy rains and storms damaged an expensive set.
In January, the crew came under legal scrutiny for allegedly using explosives in a forest without proper clearance, raising environmental concerns. Despite these repeated setbacks, the filmmakers remain committed to releasing the movie on its scheduled date, October 2, 2025.