Meet Hariprashanth M G, the Malayali actor who found his throne in Rishab Shetty's ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’

Actor Hariprashanth MG is fast emerging as one of the most compelling performers in South Indian cinema, leaving his mark with roles that resonate across both Malayalam and Kannada industries. He became familiar to Malayali audiences through his character `Chekuthan Lassar' in the movie ‘Aadu 2,’ directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas. His portrayal of `Mallan Kelu' in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s Mohanlal-starrer `'Malaikottai Vaaliban also garnered much attention.

Hariprashanth is now making headlines for his powerful role as King Vijayendra in the awe-inspiring Kannada film ‘Kantara: Chapter 1.’ His character plays an influential role in the past events that are critical to the story of Kanthara. “Rishabh Shetty invited me to Kanthara after watching my performance in Malaikottai Vaaliban,” said Hariprashanth. Though limited in screen time, the character of Vijayendra remains a strong presence throughout the film. As Kanthara continues to make waves globally, Hariprashanth MG shares his excitement about being part of the film with Manorama Online.

From Vaalibhan to Kantara
“I came to Kantara from Malaikottai Vaaliban. I received a call saying it was from Hombale Films. It was the writer of the movie who made that call and offered me a role in the prequel. I was asked to attend a costume trial, which was held in Mangalapuram in April 2024 and met Rishab Shetty on the same day.

Rishab was quite surprised after seeing me. He inquired about my height and weight. He asked whether I knew Kannada. When I said I didn’t, he replied, ‘do learn Kannada, we need people like you here.’ I said I would try. When I appeared in costume, he approved it straight away. ‘There’s nothing to change here. This is fine,’ he said. The role was finalised then and there and I was told I’d receive a call. I agreed and left.

"I flew in from Qatar for the shoot.Malayali makeup artist, Ronex, transformed me into a king. That day, we filmed just one scene—me seated on a grand throne. Afterwards, I was told I could return to Qatar. Surprised, I asked if that was all. The reply was straightforward: I had flown in just for that single shot. I’d be called again when the next scene was scheduled.
Although my total screen time was only about ten minutes, the scenes were shot across multiple locations. Sometimes, only a brief segment of a scene would be filmed at one place. That’s why I was released after shooting just that one shot. The remaining parts of the scene would be completed elsewhere, and I’d be summoned only when needed.

In the end, it took a year and two months to complete all my scenes. Interestingly, some of the shots I filmed didn’t make it to the final cut—perhaps they simply weren’t required.

Mounting the horse was no easy feat
The scene involving a horse was challenging. The horse was very tall. Though born into a royal family, I had never mounted a horse. I had minimal experience, perhaps during some vacation trips. But Rishabh had learned it all. He is well-versed in horse riding and Kalaripayattu. It’s rare to meet someone as good-hearted as him. The moment I arrived on set, he would run up and hug me. I have always felt that he’s such a big deal. I had no combination scenes with Rishab since my character belonged to the flashback story.

No room for superstitions
The rumors about accidents and deaths during the shooting of Kantara were completely baseless. I noticed many people tried to connect these incidents to matters of faith, but there’s really no need for that. When a film shoot stretches over a long period, it's not unusual for a few unrelated incidents—like the passing of someone—to occur. That doesn’t mean there’s anything mysterious behind it.

The film primarily features five or six key actors, including Jayaram, Rishab, and Rukmini. I was honored that my name was also shown on screen alongside theirs—it truly made me happy. The rest of the cast consisted of junior artists, nearly 5,000 of them. None of these deaths occurred during the shoot, except for one person who drowned while bathing in the Souparnika. If we go by faith, there shouldn’t have been any accidents in this film.

People who respect Bhoothakkolam (God's effigy)
The palace and the royal path were all set up across roughly 2,000 acres. It was indeed a sight to behold and a brilliant visual experience. Members of the crew were respectful of the place where the sets were built. They used to wash their hands and leave their footwear outside before entering the set. One day, when I walked through the set wearing sandals, someone pointed it out to me. Bhoothakkolam is deeply respected by the people there. They have their own set of beliefs and we must honour that. The greatest achievement of this film was the emotional bonding among the crew and their association built on mutual respect and trust.

Jayaram left everyone stunned
Jayaram delivered a scintillating performance. His character, Raja Rajasekhara, was perfect for showcasing his talents. It was a powerful role with many layers. Good actors can shine only under good directors.

Rishab Shetty, a true Lijo Jose fan
Rishab called me after seeing my character in Malaikottai Vaaliban. He’s an ardent fan of Lijo. He loves Malayalam cinema. He asked me about Lijo’s filmmaking and my experience acting with Lalettan. Rishabh follows methods similar to those in some of Lijo’s films. The connection between the first and second parts of Kantara is a testament to the team’s commitment to detail—and Rishab’s perfectionism. He’s someone who won’t settle for anything less than the best.

During the shoot, I would mount the horse early in the morning and stay on it until evening. Sometimes, we’d capture just one shot the entire day. Aravind, the cinematographer, was equally meticulous. If even the smallest detail was off—the angle of my face, the horse not standing still—he wouldn’t take the shot. There was nothing we could do but wait. That level of dedication is what shaped this film.

Although my role was relatively small, I ended up shooting across 13 days at different intervals. I remember one intense moment while sitting on the horse with a child—suddenly, the horse bolted. The child nearly fell, but I managed to catch him in time. With the weight of my costume and sword, it wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed every bit of the experience. Since the film’s release, the response has been overwhelming. I’ve only received rave reviews, and I couldn't be happier.