It took 15-16 drafts before finalising ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ script, says Rishab Shetty

Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty, who is riding high on the success of his recent release Kantara: Chapter 1, opened up about the meticulous writing process behind the film. In a conversation with IANS, Rishab revealed that the team went through nearly 15 to 16 drafts before finalising the screenplay.

He noted that, unlike the first film, 'Kantara: A Legend', which was written quickly with just a handful of drafts, the prequel required a more intricate approach to ensure that every theme and plot element was fully developed. Rishab told IANS that the initial film’s script was completed in a few months with only three or four drafts before filming commenced.

He explained that for the prequel, they began with the story of Shiva’s father. He added that after completing that draft, they realised the story needed a more substantial backstory, so they decided to take the narrative further back and treat it as the beginning of the saga rather than a continuation.

Rishab said that as the writing progressed, it became clear that the story could not be condensed into a small segment and that with each rewrite and narration, the script evolved further. By the end, they had roughly 15 to 16 versions, all of which helped them refine the story completely.

'Kantara: Chapter 1' has received widespread acclaim for its visuals, scale, and cultural depth. The film has reportedly earned ₹500 crore net at the Indian box office.