'Kantara Chapter 1' new poster: Rukmini Vasanth's first look as Kanakavathi unveiled on Varamahalakshmi Festival - Watch

On the auspicious occasion of the Varamahalakshmi festival, the team behind 'Kantara Chapter 1' released the first look poster of Rukmini Vasanth as Kanakavathi, two years after the film was originally announced. The poster gives the first look at the female lead in the highly anticipated prequel to Rishab Shetty's 2022 blockbuster, 'Kantara'.

Rukmini Vasanth is seen as Kanakavathi, a fierce and regal figure dressed in traditional dress, to transform into Kanakavathi, a mysterious character that looks ready to be a key player in the mythical world of Kantara.

Sharing the post the makers wrote, "Introducing @rukmini_vasanth as ‘KANAKAVATHI’ from the world of #KantaraChapter1. ಕನಕವತಿಯ ಪರಿಚಯ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮುಂದೆ. कनकवती का परिचय आपके लिए. కనకవతి ని మీకు పరిచయం చేస్తున్నాం. கனகாவதியை பற்றிய அறிமுகம் உங்கள் முன் உள்ளது. കനകാവതിയുടെ ആമുഖം നിങ്ങൾക്കുമുമ്പിൽ. আপনাদের সামনে কনকবতীকে উপস্থিত করছি."

About 'Kantara Chapter 1'

As mentioned earlier, the film will be the prequel of the 2022 film, and is expected to go into the history of the origins of the divine tradition, ancestral conflict, and mythological lore rooted in the Kadamba dynasty era of Karnataka's history.

Rishab Shetty in the film

Written and directed by Rishab, he himself will be seen playing the lead role, like in 'Kantara'. To prepare for his role, Shetty underwent extensive training in horse riding, Kalari martial arts, and sword fighting.

Earlier this year, on his birthday, there was an official first look for Rishab Shetty as well. Soon thereafter, there was a wrap-up video that gave fans more information and generated more speculation about the new storyline.

The first part of the film was widely praised for its authentic portrayal of folklore, mythology, and nature worship, and this prequel looks set to take those elements even further.

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. It will also be released in multiple dubbed versions, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English, aiming for a pan-Indian and global audience.