Rishab Shetty says he sought permission for Kantara from Daivas

BENGALURU: Actor Rishab Shetty, who directed and starred in the movie “Kantara: Chapter 1”, is facing criticism from some devotees who claim that the film has ridiculed their traditions of deity worship.

Rishab had earlier stated that he had sought the blessings of the daivas at Dharmasthala before starting the film and had also performed a ritual to seek permission.

Rishabh had informed a press conference that he had gone to Dharmasthala before the start of Kantara cinema. The original Annappa Swamy is in Dharmasthala. He went to Dharmasthala first for the cinema and got permission from Veerendra Heggade there.

However, some devotees have expressed their dissatisfaction with the film, claiming that it has portrayed their daivas worship traditions in a bad light. They have also accused Rishab of disrespecting their beliefs.

“It is not easy to make a Daiva-worshipping cinema. I took up this venture only after getting permission there”, says Rishab.

After that, even in the case of Kantara-chapter  1, the film team prayed that they would organize Kola as an offering to god. Even then, Rishabh’s team had taken permission from Panjurli daiva.

Rishab has maintained that he is a believer in Daiva worship and has taken every care to ensure that the film does not hurt the sentiments of devotees. They are unhappy that the wrong message about daivas has been given in the film. He has also shared videos of himself seeking blessings from the deity and has spoken about the importance of respecting traditions.

The controversy has sparked a debate about the portrayal of deity worship in films and the need for sensitivity towards religious beliefs.

Amid criticism, Rishab said that he believes in daivas. That daivas saved even at the moment of death in this film. He behaved in a way that did not detract from the worship of daivas, such as not wearing slippers on the film set and not eating non-veg.