Kantara 2: Makers break silence on junior artist's drowning incident; Read on

The makers of Kantara: Chapter 1 respond after junior artist M.F. Kapil tragically drowned, clarifying the incident was unrelated to the film shoot amid rising speculation and AICWA demands

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The makers of Kantara: Chapter 1, the highly anticipated prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara, have issued a statement following the unfortunate death of junior artist M.F. Kapil. The 33-year-old, who was reportedly involved with the film's crew, drowned in a river near Kollur, Karnataka, on May 6.

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The incident led to speculation suggesting a link between Kapil’s death and the film’s production. Addressing the rumors, the production company Hombale Films issued an official clarification on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). They expressed their grief over Kapil’s passing and extended condolences to his family and friends, calling the incident deeply saddening.

The production house clarified that filming was not taking place on the day of the incident and emphasized that the accident occurred during Kapil's personal time. They stated that the event was not connected to the film’s shoot or activities and urged the public to avoid making baseless associations between the tragedy and the movie or its crew.

In a further show of sympathy, Hombale Films reiterated their condolences to Kapil’s family, expressing hopes that they find strength and peace during this difficult time.

Despite the clarification, the All India Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has demanded accountability. In a public statement, the association called for legal action against actor-director Rishab Shetty and the producers of the film. They also raised concerns about the transparency of the events surrounding the death.

AICWA stated that they were deeply saddened by Kapil’s demise, which occurred around 3:45 PM on May 6 near the Souparnika River in Kollur, allegedly during the shoot of Kantara: Chapter 1. The association also accused the film industry of frequently hiding the true cause of such incidents and intimidating those who attempt to speak out. They insisted that such practices must be brought to an end.

Directed by Rishab Shetty, Kantara: Chapter 1 is scheduled to be released on October 2, 2025. The original Kantara film was both a critical and commercial success.