Vijay Kiragandur opens up on Kantara Chapter 1, KGF 3 after National Film Awards win

    With Kantara's lead actor Rishab Shetty clinching the Best Actor award and the film's nationwide success, the spotlight is now on the highly anticipated prequel and the next chapter of the KGF franchise.

    Kantara Chapter 1 poster

    Kantara Chapter 1 poster

    Producer Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Films is overjoyed after two of his Kannada productions won top honours at the 70th National Film Awards. Kantara won two awards, including Best Actor for the movie's lead actor, Rishab Shetty.

    Kantara was a smash hit at the box office. Initially released only in Kannada, the movie garnered glowing reviews and, through terrific word-of-mouth, took a different trajectory, emerging as one of the most celebrated and beloved films across the country. Made on a budget of less than Rs 20 crore, Kantara went on to earn more than Rs 400 crore in global ticket sales, propelling Rishab Shetty from regional obscurity to national fame.

    The filmmakers wasted no time in announcing their intention to continue the story of Kantara. Rishab, who is also the writer and director of the franchise, is now in the process of filming the prequel. The teaser that was released earlier revealed Rishab's ambition and how the success of Kantara has allowed him to massively scale up the production of the next instalment.

    With Kantara and Rishab Shetty clinching the coveted awards and the film's nationwide success, the spotlight is now on the highly anticipated prequel and the next chapter of the KGF franchise. "We have completed about 30 percent of Kantara Chapter 1. The next schedule starts in September. We plan to release it in mid-2025," he told a local news channel.

    Vijay Kiragandur also revealed that work on KGF 3 is in the pipeline and that audiences can expect the continuation of the blockbuster narrative. However, he refused to reveal more details to keep the focus on the production company's recent victories.

    KGF: Chapter 2, starring Yash, was named Best Kannada Movie and also recognized for its stunt sequences.