A tragic incident cast a somber shadow over the production of Kantara: Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to Rishab Shetty’s 2022 cult hit, when junior artiste M.F. Kapil lost his life in a drowning accident on Tuesday. The incident occurred during a lunch break on set near the Souparnika River in Kollur, Karnataka, where the team had been filming a key sequence. Hailing from Vaikom in Kerala, Kapil had entered the river for a swim when he was swept away by strong currents. Despite immediate search efforts launched by local authorities and the fire department, his body was recovered later that evening. A case has been registered at the Kollur police station, and authorities have begun an investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident.
In response to the tragic incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has called for a thorough investigation and demanded that an FIR be filed against actor-producer Rishab Shetty and the production house, Hombale Films. Expressing concern over recurring on-set fatalities, AICWA has urged the Chief Minister of Karnataka to initiate a high-level, impartial probe into the circumstances surrounding M.F. Kapil’s death.
Kapil’s untimely death is the latest in a string of challenges that have plagued the film’s production. Earlier, a bus accident involving junior artistes fortunately resulted in no injuries, while a separate weather-related incident destroyed a major film set due to unexpected heavy winds and rainfall. Moreover, the production has faced scrutiny from the forest department over alleged environmental concerns in protected filming zones.
Despite these repeated hurdles, the makers of Kantara: Chapter 1 remain steadfast in their commitment to complete the film on schedule. A statement released via the film’s official Instagram handle addressed the recent tragedy and denied rumors of a release delay: “The film will release as planned on October 2.”
The crew resumed the final leg of shooting on Wednesday, May 7, in a new location approximately 20 kilometers from Kundapur.
As the cinematic world awaits its return to the mystical realm of Kantara, the loss of M.F. Kapil has deeply affected the cast, crew, and wider industry. While an official tribute is yet to be released, many film professionals and fans have expressed their condolences online, remembering Kapil not only as a valued team member but as one of the many unsung heroes whose contributions power the magic of cinema.
By Sulagna Kar
