'Kantara Chapter 1': Manikandan lends voice in Tamil version, Rishab Shetty hails the actor's talent

The much-awaited film, '', directed by Rishab Shetty, is now out in theaters across the world. Following the huge success of the 2022 film 'Kantara', this new film returns to the era of the Kadamba dynasty from a chronological perspective. It explores current events in pre-colonial Karnataka and ultimately shows the origins of the Bhootha Kola ritual that shaped the story of .

Manikandan voices Rishab’s character

In the Tamil version, Manikandan has lent his voice to Rishab Shetty's character. During a promotional interview with Behindwoods, Rishab Shetty shared his appreciation for actor Manikandan and their partnership. “Manikandan is my favorite actor. I am amazed by his talent and acting. He is not just a mimic; he has a rare gift. He doesn't just imitate the voice; he also captures the essence of the person's body language," said Rishab. He then added that “I saw him once, and he explained very well how Ajith's voice has changed over the years, and how he can easily recreate any actor's voice.”

Rishab Shetty shared that working with Manikandan was a long-time dream

Director-actor Rishab Shetty revealed that he had always wanted to work with Manikandan and that 'Kantara: Chapter 1' gave him that opportunity. “I felt that he could lend his voice to one of my characters. When I approached him, he initially said he was not a member of the dubbing union, so he could not be included immediately. But we followed all the official procedures; we gave the official letter, asked for permission, paid the fee, and then he voiced my character. He did an amazing job.”

Rishab Shetty and Manikandan's first meeting was a memorable one

Rishab Shetty also shared a memorable moment from their first meeting. “I told him I was a big fan, and he responded by saying I was his cheerleader. That moment was very special. He is not only a great artist; he is also a wonderful human being and I am very happy to have worked with him," said Rishab.