Will 'Kantara: Chapter 1' Get A Smooth Release In Kerala?

An ongoing standoff between the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) and the film’s distributors have finally seemed to have reached a settlement, allowing for a smooth release of the Kannada blockbuster Kantara’s sequel in the state. Reports state that the standoff had begun after the film’s distributors had asked for an unprecedented 55 per cent stake in the collections from the first two weeks of the film’s run. This led to the film getting banned, with its release date facing challenges. The differences with distributor Magic Frames is said to have been ironed out through negotiation, according to a report in Mathrubhumi News.

The Kerala rights belong to Prithviraj Productions and Magic Frames. Magic Frames had initially insisted on receiving 55 per cent of the net collections for a period of two weeks, FEUOK had granted approval for just one week. 

Meanwhile, Hindi film actor Gulshan Devaiah has joined the star-studded cast of Hombale Films' Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited sequel to Rishab Shetty's hit 2022 Kannada film. The makers released a poster of Devaiah as Kulashekara, a probable king in the universe. "Introducing @gulshandevaiah as ‘KULASHEKARA’ from the world of #KantaraChapter1," the post read on X.

Devaiah joins Rukmini Vasanth, who was recently announced to play Kanakavathi, a pivotal role in the film. Apart from Rishab Shetty, Rukmini, and Devaiah, the film's principal cast hasn't been revealed yet. The pan-Indian production recently wrapped up filming, and the makers recently released a video anchored by Shetty's voice, taking us through the efforts that went behind the making of this prequel. "I had a dream. To share the story of my soul with the world. Our village, our people, our beliefs. When I chose to pursue that dream, 1000s of people stood with me," his narration begins, adding that the making took three years of hard work and 250 days of shoot. "No matter the challenges, the daiva never let go of me." He goes on to thank the producers and the entire team behind the film. 

It will be released on October 2 in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali, and English. Rukmini Vasanth, who rose to fame for her role in the Sapta Sagaradaache Ello (2023) movies, was last seen in Tamil film Ace (2025).