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When ‘ Kantara: Chapter 1 ’ arrived in theatres on October 2, 2025, it became more than just a film , it was an emotion. The mythological action drama, directed by Rishab Shetty , captivated audiences with its spiritual depth and cinematic power. But behind the success stood a quiet force, his wife , Pragathi Shetty , whose strength and faith became the backbone of his journey.

'Pragathi is the biggest support'
In a conversation with Hollywood Reporter India, Rishab Shetty spoke about the woman who stood beside him through every challenge. While the world celebrated his creative brilliance, he credited his wife for being his emotional anchor. “She’s a big support. Whenever I left for shooting, her prayers would begin. If it weren’t for Pragathi, my wife, I wouldn’t have been able to finish this film,” he shared.

Balancing devotion and duty
Rishab revealed how Pragathi took charge of everything at home during the film’s demanding schedule. The Shetty family moved to Kundapur for nearly five years, where their children continued their schooling while Rishab devoted himself to filmmaking. “For 5 years, she managed the kids’ schooling, and all of it, we had shifted to Kundapur. The kids are studying there. Even now, till March, their school is there. After that, we’ll decide whether to move back to Bangalore or not,” he said.

Love that grew with time
Their love story, too, feels cinematic. The couple first met at a film event and soon connected on Facebook. What began as friendly conversations turned into a heartfelt bond. Despite early doubts from Pragathi’s family, since Rishab was still finding his place in cinema, their believe in each other won everyone over. They married in 2017, and their bond only grew stronger with time. They are blessed with a boy in 2019 and a girl in 2022, named Ranvit and Radhya respectively.

Creative connection
Beyond being his emotional support, Pragathi also played a creative role in the film as the costume designer. Her aesthetic vision added authenticity to the world of Kantara: Chapter 1. Audiences even spotted her in a brief cameo during a chariot scene.
‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ has taken the Indian box office by storm, becoming the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2025 , the film earned an estimated Rs 370 crore worldwide in just five days, surpassing ‘Pushpa: The Rise’.

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