Rishab Shetty Wants To Work With Bollywood Biggies After Saying Industry Shows India In 'Bad Light'

Rishab Shetty On Bollywood: National Award winner Rishab Shetty has shared his candid opinions on Bollywood. Speaking at a media event after his National Award win for Best Actor for Kantara, the actor shared, “Indian films, especially Bollywood, show India in a bad light. These art films are invited to global events and given a red carpet. My nation, my state, my language—my pride. Why not take it on a positive note globally, and that’s what I try to do.” His comments spread widely on social media. Amid this, in a new interview, the actor has confessed that he would like to collaborate with some Bollywood biggies.

Rishab Shetty on Kantara finding an audience in North

As per PTI, Kantara has many fans in the north and actor-filmmaker Anurag Kashyap praised it profusely when the film was released. Shetty said he is a huge fan of Kashyap. "I'm inspired by his writing and filmmaking." 
 

In future, he would love to collaborate with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mani Ratnam, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth, he said. When it comes to the Kantara franchise, Shetty said Hombale Films gives him "full liberty" and that the final decision is always his. "They have a different equation with me and a different equation with the other artists. I freely discuss the subject with them and exchange ideas. If I like their input, I take them into account. I don't have any ego."

Rishab Shetty on having a responsibility with National Award win

Actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty says winning two National Film Awards for Kantara has motivated him to tell more stories inspired by what he has seen in society. Shetty directed, co-wrote and headlined the blockbuster Kannada title that became a rage across the country. He is currently working on its prequel. Still, in disbelief, the filmmaker said Kantara winning two National Awards is solely the result of people's wishes and blessings. It's more of a responsibility now on us. Awards like these motivate you to do more good work. We make a film wholeheartedly. People should like it, that's the main thought," he added.     
 

Kantara, which was mounted on a reported budget of Rs 16 crore by Hombale Films, went on to earn over Rs 400 crore across the globe. It won the National Award for Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and earned Shetty his first Best Actor National Award. Asked if he is nervous about Kantara: Chapter 1, the prequel, amid expectations and awards, the artist said he is not worried about that. "There are lots of stories that I want to tell about what I've seen in society. It's the people who made the first film such a big hit. We have to give better content, entertain more, and work hard more," Shetty told PTI in an interview.

(With inputs from PTI)