Kantara 2 Row: AICWA Calls for Action After Junior Artiste’s Death
The tragic on-set death of a junior artiste while shooting Kantara: Chapter 1 provokes outrage, triggering immediate concerns about safety on film sets.
AICWA seeks justice and accountability following the tragic on-set death of 33-year-old MF Kapil while filming Kantara 2.
The Incident: Drowning Death Stops Kantara 2 Production
It was on May 6, 2025, that the team of Kantara: Chapter 1 witnessed catastrophe when 33-year-old MF Kapil from Kerala drowned swimming by the Souparnika River near Kollur in Karnataka. This tragic event happened during the day about 3:45 PM. There was instant halting of filming work immediately.
Kapil was working on the shoot of the much-awaited prequel to 2022 hit Kantara, directed by Rishab Shetty and Hombale Films. In the initial reports, it was reported that Shetty, also the main lead in the movie, blamed the death on drowning while swimming for leisure.
FIR was filed at the Kollur Police Station, but there are still doubts regarding the cause of Kapil’s death.
AICWA’s Response: Anger and Call for Action
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) quickly released a bitterly worded statement after the tragedy. In a post on X (previously Twitter), AICWA mourned the loss while calling for an investigation and instant legal action.
“The death of a young worker in a tragic accident cannot be dismissed or waved away,” the statement said. “There should be a high-level, independent investigation, and an FIR against Rishab Shetty and Hombale Films is called for.”
AICWA also wrote to Karnataka’s Chief Minister, Shri Siddaramaiah, requesting that he step in and ensure that justice is done. They also demanded monetary compensation of INR 1 crore to be granted to the victim’s family.
Recurring Safety Failures: A Pattern of Negligence in the Industry
Pointing to the larger safety issues in the Indian film industry, AICWA cited previous fatal accidents on the sets of Indian 2 and Sardar 2 films and a bus accident involving 20 junior artistes in November 2024.
“There is a disturbing pattern of negligence and misinformation,” AICWA stressed. “Production houses tend to underreport or hide the gravity of such incidents, risking lives repeatedly.”
The association cautioned that such cover-ups are not a one-off affair. “Any worker attempting to voice their concerns is usually intimidated or silenced,” the statement said, demanding transparency and accountability.
Silence from Hombale Films and Rishab Shetty
Rishab Shetty and the filmmakers at Hombale Films, as of yet, have made no public announcement about the incident or the demands of AICWA. The silence has only helped fan public rumour and worry.
With Kantara: Chapter 1 all set to hit theaters on October 2, 2025, this row has overshadowed the production and reception of the film. Only time will tell if Shetty or the production company will issue a response or get into trouble legally.
About the Film: Kantara’s Prequel Set in Ancient Times
Kantara: Chapter 1 is helmed by Rishab Shetty and is a prequel to the highly acclaimed original Kantara that came out in 2022. The narrative takes place in the Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi, exploring ancient cultural origins and spiritual mysticism.
The movie boasts a top-notch cast, comprising Jayaram, Kishore, Jayasurya, and Jisshu Sengupta, in addition to Shetty himself. Although there has been all the buzz around the story and visuals, the present controversy might go a long way in affecting its run towards theaters.
The Kantara 2 Controversy has reopened an imperative discussion regarding on-set safety, responsibility, and junior artistes’ treatment within the film industry. Whether this tragedy will have positive reforms or not is yet to be seen.
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