Despite the worldwide success of Kantara, actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has become one of the most influential voices of Indian cinema. Speaking to the media on his birthday, Rishab addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding Jai Hanuman, the upcoming mythological movie directed by Prasanth Varma, as well as his views on Kannada cinema, OTT platforms in India, and good storytelling being one of the most important things to do.
Jai Hanuman Is a Kannada Film
Rishab Shetty, who will play Lord Hanuman in Jai Hanuman, said there was a debate over whether the film should be considered a Telugu or Kannada production.
Rishab said, in his light-hearted style, that although the producer and director are from the Telugu film industry, he is a Kannada actor and thus he jokingly considers it a Kannada film.
He said that someone even asked him whether Jai Hanuman was a Telugu movie, and he said no, it's a Kannada film. He explained his response by saying, "We may be Telugu, but I am Kannada." He says with a smile that Hanuman belongs to everyone.
All of his comments were widely interpreted as a reminder that cinema must transcend linguistic boundaries.
Content is More Important than Language
Rishab added that storytelling is more important than language in pan-India filmmaking.
He said today, audiences watch movies in many languages through dubbing and digital platforms, and language is less of a barrier now than it ever was. Directors choose the language in which they are most comfortable working, and the finished film reaches audiences throughout India, he said.
His comments are in line with the increasing number of multilingual releases where strong narratives are generally accepted beyond regional markets.
Concern about Kannada Cinema’s Box Office
Rishab also spoke candidly about the current challenges facing the Kannada film industry.
He was also skeptical about whether audiences are avoiding good movies or whether filmmakers aren’t making the kind of films they want to watch. At the same time, he said, audiences have always been there for quality content.
As for the success of films made by newcomers and others, he said, when the content appeals to viewers, star power is secondary. He also mentioned that the success of many Malayalam and Tamil movies proves that compelling storytelling is still the main factor in box office numbers.
Theatre Experience Still Matters
Responding to concerns that OTT platforms are drawing audiences away from cinemas, Rishab disagreed with the notion that streaming services alone are responsible for decreasing theatrical footfalls.
He described OTT as just another platform for content consumption and said watching a movie in a theater is a unique and celebratory experience. For filmmakers, the real challenge is to make movies that inspire people to go back to cinema halls, he said.
Need to Encourage Writers
Rishab also highlighted what he believes is one of the biggest gaps in the Kannada film industry—the lack of focus on nurturing talented writers.
He noted that many of the gifted writers from Bengaluru are now working successfully in Mumbai and said strong scripts are the backbone of great cinema. Referring to Kantara, he said that its success was driven by its story and narrative, reinforcing the importance of investing in writers and original ideas.
Upcoming Projects
Looking ahead, Rishab confirmed that he is working on Jai Hanuman and two new scripts at the same time. He also said that work on Kantara: Chapter 1 is progressing steadily.
The actor also said large-scale movies take a lot of time and planning and that Kantara's journey was one of very few so far that the process might not be repeated.
A Vision Beyond Language
Rishab Shetty’s comments go beyond the language debate around Jai Hanuman. They are also representative of a larger vision of Indian cinema—one where strong stories, talented writers, and meaningful filmmaking take precedence over linguistic labels.
Rishab’s message reinforces the idea that great storytelling can bring people closer to a movie regardless of language. And with more viewers moving to films from different places, Rishab’s message is that good storytelling can connect viewers from one region to another.
