The Kannada blockbuster “Kantara”, released in September 2022, emerged as a hit that broke records across India. Initially released only in Karnataka, the film’s growing popularity and strong word-of-mouth led to its dubbing in multiple languages. Eventually, it grossed over ₹408 crore worldwide and also earned Rishabh Shetty his first National Award for Best Actor. However, along with its success, the film also faced backlash, particularly regarding its portrayal of women.
Rishabh Shetty’s Kantara
Rishabh Shetty Expressed His View On Shiva Seen As Flawed Villain Not Hero
Three years later, Rishabh Shetty has openly acknowledged the criticism and shared a fresh perspective. In a recent interview with one of the media houses, the actor-filmmaker said that the central character, Shiva, should not be viewed as a hero but rather as a flawed villain. Explaining further, Rishabh said, “The film is about Shiva. It’s not about anyone else. Shiva isn’t the hero, he’s the villain. His character is full of flaws, his behavior is questionable, his language vulgar, and he has many bad habits. He doesn’t meet societal expectations, especially considering his father’s legacy as a respected divine dancer. The story is about his transformation.”
Rishabh Shetty’s Kantara
The criticism stemmed largely from Shiva’s problematic treatment of his girlfriend Leela in the film, where he was shown stalking and touching her inappropriately under the guise of love. Addressing the backlash over female representation, Rishabh defended his vision: “All characters are secondary to Shiva, but his mother had a strong presence. She was a dominating force in his life. I don’t think it was absurd. I gave importance to each character, but Shiva’s aura overshadowed everyone else, and that was intentional.”
Rishabh Shetty’s Kantara
Despite his defense, Rishab admitted he values audience feedback. “I learn a lot from these opinions. They give me new ideas,” he said. When asked if the criticism will influence his future projects, he hinted that his upcoming film will be “stronger and deeper than Kantara.” He also added that if a Kantara sequel is made, he may revisit some of these elements.