Kantara: Chapter 1 Crew Member Drowns During Shoot Break Near Souparnika River

Tragedy struck the sets of Kantara: Chapter 1, the much-awaited prequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, when a junior crew member lost his life during a break from filming. The incident occurred on May 6 near Kollur in Karnataka’s Udupi district, shaking the entire production team and halting the shoot temporarily.

The deceased, identified as Kabeel, was a 32-year-old aspiring actor from Kottayam, Kerala. According to reports, he had completed his duties for the day and decided to take a swim in the Souparnika river along with two fellow crew members. Unfortunately, while in the water, Kabeel was caught in a strong current and swept away. Despite immediate efforts by local authorities and the fire department, he could not be saved. His body was later recovered, and a case has been registered at the Kollur police station to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The sudden death of the crew member brought the filming of Kantara: Chapter 1 to an abrupt standstill. The production team, led by actor-director Rishab Shetty, is said to be deeply saddened by the incident. The accident has cast a shadow over the film’s grand shoot, which had been progressing on a large scale with elaborate war sequences filmed on a massive 25-acre mountain set. These scenes involved both national and international action choreographers and were shot over more than 50 days.

This tragic incident comes shortly after the film landed in controversy for its alleged impact on the environment. Sanna Swamy, a former Zilla Panchayat member, raised concerns about the film’s shooting affecting local wildlife. He stated, “Farmers are already struggling with wild elephant attacks. Despite the Supreme Court’s directive to protect forests, officials have been negligent. Immediate action must be taken to prevent further damage.”

Kantara: Chapter 1 is a high-budget Kannada fantasy action film produced by Vijay Kiragandur under the Hombale Films banner. Set during the era of the Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi, the film explores ancient traditions, legends, and folklore. With Rishab Shetty returning to play the lead, expectations for the film remain high, though the team now finds itself coping with an unexpected loss.