Full Name: Prashanth Shetty
Stage Name: Rishab Shetty
Date of Birth (DOB): July 7, 1983
Age: 42 years (as of 2025)
Net Worth: ₹80 Crore (approx. $9.6 Million USD)
Place of Birth: Keradi village, Kundapura, Udupi district, Karnataka, India
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Hinduism
Profession: Actor • Director • Writer • Producer
Upcoming Movies
| Movie | Role | Director | Release Year |
| Kantara: Chapter 1 | Actor / Director / Writer | Rishab Shetty | 2025 |
| Bell Bottom 2 (rumoured) | Actor | Jayatheertha | TBA |
| Untitled Mythological Drama (Hombale Films) | Director | Rishab Shetty | Announced 2026 |
Recent Movies
| Movie | Role | Director | Release Date |
| Kantara: Chapter 1 | Actor / Director | Rishab Shetty | 02 Oct 2025 |
| Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana | Supporting Actor | Raj B. Shetty | 2021 |
| Kantara | Actor / Director / Writer | Rishab Shetty | 30 Sep 2022 |
| Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu | Director / Producer / Writer | Rishab Shetty | 2018 |
| Kirik Party | Director / Writer | Rishab Shetty | 2016 |
Early Life and Background
Born on July 7, 1983, in Keradi village near Kundapura in the Udupi district of Karnataka, Rishab Shetty (real name Prashanth Shetty) grew up in a middle-class Bunt family. His father, Y Bhaskar Shetty, is an astrologer, and his mother, Lakshmi Shetty, a homemaker.
From an early age, Rishab was drawn to performance arts—especially Yakshagana, a traditional folk theatre of coastal Karnataka. He performed on village stages by the age of 10, shaping his connection to myth, spirituality, and storytelling that would later define his cinema.
He completed his schooling in Kundapura and pursued a B.Com degree before moving to Bengaluru, where he later earned an MBA in Human Resources and a Diploma in Film Direction from the Government Film & Television Institute.
Before entering films, he took on odd jobs — from selling water cans to working as a hotel receptionist — while assisting in theatre and student films.
Rise to Fame
Rishab’s journey began behind the camera. He worked as an assistant director on A.M.R. Ramesh’s Cyanide (2006), learning the craft of visual storytelling. He made his acting debut in Tuglak (2012), followed by a key role in Ulidavaru Kandante (2014).
His directorial debut came with Ricky (2016), but his big breakthrough was the youth-oriented blockbuster Kirik Party (2016), which became a milestone in modern Kannada cinema.
The success of Kirik Party was followed by the critically acclaimed Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu (2018), which earned the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film.
Then came Kantara (2022), which made him a pan-India sensation — both as a filmmaker and performer.
Kantara and Beyond
Kantara (2022)
Rishab Shetty wrote, directed, and starred in this spiritual action-drama rooted in the Bhoota Kola ritual of coastal Karnataka. The film explored the balance between man, nature, and divinity, blending local folklore with cinematic grandeur.
Kantara became one of India’s biggest success stories — crossing ₹400 crore worldwide and earning widespread critical acclaim. It was even included in the Oscars contention list (2023) for Best Picture and Best Actor.
Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025)
A prequel to Kantara, this film delves into the origins of the Daiva and the ancient conflicts that shaped the legend. Shot over 250 days, the film demanded intense physical preparation; Rishab revealed he nearly “escaped death several times” due to dangerous stunts.
Released on October 2, 2025, it opened to massive numbers, crossing ₹100 crore within two days and cementing Rishab Shetty’s place among India’s top directors.
Versatility in Storytelling
While known for his rural realism and mythological symbolism, Rishab has shown versatility:
- Youth-drama: Kirik Party (2016)
- Social comedy: Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale… (2018)
- Mystical action: Kantara (2022) & Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025)
- Experimental cinema: Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021)
His storytelling blends folklore, spirituality, and human emotion, making him one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Indian cinema.
Awards & Honors
- Karnataka State Film Award (2016): Best Family Entertainer – Kirik Party
- Filmfare Awards South (2017): Best Director – Kirik Party
- SIIMA Awards (2017): Best Director – Kirik Party
- National Film Award (2019): Best Children’s Film – Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale…
- OTTplay Awards (2022): Pioneering Contributions to New Wave Cinema
- SIIMA (2023): Critics Award for Best Actor (Kannada) – Kantara
- National Film Award (2024): Best Actor – Kantara
Personal Life
Rishab Shetty married Pragathi Shetty on February 9, 2017. The couple has two children — son Ranvit and daughter Raadya.
Despite his fame, Rishab maintains a grounded lifestyle, often returning to his village and participating in local religious and cultural rituals. He has spoken about how his roots inspire his stories, saying:
“I don’t invent folklore — I only rediscover it from the soil I was born in.”
Legacy and Influence
Rishab Shetty stands at the forefront of the Kannada New Wave, proving that regional cinema can achieve both critical acclaim and box-office success. Through Kantara, he brought global attention to the rituals and oral traditions of Tulu Nadu.
He is regarded as an auteur-filmmaker, often compared to directors who merge realism with spirituality. His success has encouraged young filmmakers to explore native stories rather than chase formulaic trends.
Rishab’s combination of artistic integrity, storytelling depth, and cultural pride continues to redefine Kannada and Indian cinema.
Quick Facts
- Real Name – Prashanth Shetty
- Height – 5’ 10” (178 cm)
- Eyes – Black Hair – Black
- Religion – Hinduism
- Favourite Actor – Jr. NTR
- Favourite Actress – Ramya
- Favourite Film – Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)
- Car Collection – Audi Q7, Skoda Fabia
- Food Habit – Non-Vegetarian
Summary
Rishab Shetty is not just an actor or filmmaker — he’s a storyteller rooted in India’s soil. From Kirik Party to Kantara: Chapter 1, his journey reflects persistence, passion, and pride in cultural identity. Today, he stands as one of the most influential voices in Indian cinema — blending myth with meaning and folklore with filmcraft.
