The makers of Kantara: Chapter 1 have issued a clarification denying that the death of a junior artist occurred during the film’s shoot, asserting instead that the tragic incident happened during the artist's personal time.
This comes amid growing demands for a probe by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), following the drowning of 35-year-old MF Kapil in the Souparnika river near Kollur, Udupi district, on Wednesday afternoon (May 7).
Adarsh JA, the executive producer of the film, expressed regret over the incident and clarified that no filming was scheduled on the day of the accident. "The unfortunate incident did not occur on the film set. Kapil was on a personal trip with his friends when the tragedy struck. We urge the public and media to refrain from speculating or linking the incident to our production," he said in an official statement, according to PTI.
Despite the makers’ clarification, the AICWA called for a high-level and impartial investigation into Kapil’s death. In a strongly worded statement posted on X, the association raised concerns about the repeated misrepresentation of on-set fatalities in the film industry.
“In this latest tragedy, the claim of drowning needs to be thoroughly investigated to determine if it is the true cause of death or if there are other factors involved. AICWA urges the Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah, to initiate a high-level probe and ensure justice for Kapil’s family,” the statement read.
The association further demanded that an FIR be lodged against lead actor Rishab Shetty and the production house, and has appealed for Rs 1 crore compensation to be given to the deceased's family.
Police officials from Karnataka confirmed that a case of unnatural death has been registered at the Kollur police station. As per preliminary information, Kapil is believed to have entered the river for a swim during the lunch break, when strong currents swept him away. A search operation by local authorities and the fire department led to the recovery of his body later that evening.
Kantara: Chapter 1, produced by Hombale Films and directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, is a prequel to the 2022 National Award-winning Kannada film Kantara. The upcoming film delves deeper into coastal Karnataka's mythology and folklore and is set for theatrical release on October 2, 2025.
