‘Kantara’ was offered to Puneeth Rajkumar; Rishab Shetty recounts why it didn’t happen

Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’ is all set to enter the Rs 300 crore club in worldwide collection. The film has received a lot of love from critics, audience and celebrities from different fields. Now, Rishab has revealed that the film was initially offered to late actor Puneeth Rajkumar but he couldn’t come on board due to his busy schedule and other work commitments.

During his conversation with Masth Cinema YouTube channel, the actor-director said, ‘It all happened in a blink of an eye. Soon after I narrated the story to him, he got very excited about the project. He wanted to explore different stories. But, his other projects continued to keep him away from Kantara. One day, he called me and asked me to go ahead with the film without him. He told me that if I waited for him, I may not be able to do the film that year.’

Rishab further revealed that he met the late actor at the pre-release event of ‘Bajarangi 2’ where he enquired about the project (Kantara).

‘He enquired me about the project and asked me not to compromise on my vision for the film. I showed him a few still pictures from the shoot. He was very happy for me. And he told me he was eager to watch the film,’ he said.

Rishab Shetty said that he felt besides him, Puneeth Rajkumar would have fit the role beautifully.

‘Especially in the scenes of the buffalo race. But, I was particular about one thing. I wanted Appu sir to master the coastal Karnataka dialect. I was wondering whether he will allot so much time at such short notice,” Rishab Shetty revealed.

Puneeth Rajkumar was posthumously conferred with Karnataka’s highest civilian award, Karnataka Ratna on November 1. He was honoured on the occasion of the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava (the state formation day).

Rajinikanth, who presided over the event as a chief guest, along with Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and Jr NTR.

Remembering Puneeth as ‘God’s child’, he also revealed why he couldn’t attend his funeral, despite being very close to the family. An emotional Rajinikanth said wasn’t in a position to travel due to his ill-health.

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