Kantara’s King Cashes In: Rishab Shetty’s Fee Hike Shocks the Industry

Kannada film actor Rishab Shetty has been remunerated with a record ₹100 crore for the eagerly awaited prequel, "Kantara: Chapter 1"—2400% more than his previous remuneration.

 

Key Highlights

 

Historic Pay Raise:

Rishab Shetty's salary has increased from ₹4 crore for the original "Kantara" (2022) to ₹100 crore for the prequel, an increase of 2400% and making him one of the best-paid actor-directors in Indian cinema.

 

Profit-Sharing Agreement:

Besides his upfront payment (alleged to be ₹50 crore), Shetty has also been provided with a profit-sharing agreement, similar to other top stars like Yash. This could also contribute to his total remuneration depending on box office collections.

 

Ambitious Production:

"Kantara: Chapter 1" will hit the global screens on October 2, 2025. The movie has war sequences, more than 500 trained warriors, and a 25-acre set, and will be one of the biggest action spectacles in Indian cinema.

 

First Look & Buzz:

The producers recently launched a powerful new poster on Shetty's birthday, with him in an aggressive, never-seen-before avatar, making waves among fans and trade analysts.

 

Cultural Influence:

The first "Kantara" was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over ₹400 crore at the box office and winning a National Award for Shetty. The prequel attempts to draw upon richer mythological traditions and folklore, expanding the world of the film.

 

On-Set Rumors:

Recent news of an accident (capsizing boat) on set were brushed aside by producers as rumors, affirming production is continuing uninterrupted with no reported injuries. Why This Matters Rishab Shetty's record salary increase is not just a reflection of the record-breaking frenzy over "Kantara: Chapter 1," but also of changing economics of Indian cinema, where innovative directors are being paid ever-higher upfront fees and profit-sharing. 

 

Source: News18, Pinkvilla, NewsBytes