Rishab Shetty Biography is an inspiring story of a man who, while staying connected to his roots, carved a unique identity for himself in Indian cinema. Rishab Shetty is not just an actor, but also a great director and screenwriter. Rishab’s dedication and talent are behind masterpieces like Kantara.
Early Life And Struggles
Rishab Shetty was born on 7 July 1983 in Keradi village, Kundapura, Udupi district, Karnataka. His real name is Prashanth Shetty. Rishabh completed his primary education in Kundapura and did his B.Com from Vijaya College, Bengaluru.
He was interested in theatre and folk art since childhood. Rishab performed in Yakshagana (Kannada folk drama) and was part of a theatre group “Ranga Sourabha” during his college days.
But despite all this, his journey wasn’t easy. Rishab Shetty worked as an assistant director, clap boy, and spot boy before getting his first acting break. This struggle keeps him grounded, and his real-life experiences are clearly reflected in his characters.
The Beginning of Acting And Directorial Career
Rishab Shetty made his acting debut with Tuglak (2012). He then gained recognition with Ulidavaru Kandante (2014), where his powerful acting style caught everyone’s attention.
His first film as a director was Risky (2016), which was released with a social message.
But he gained recognition as a director with Kirik Party (2016), which was made with the youth in mind. This film was a commercial superhit and earned Rishab the Filmfare Award for Best Director.
Kantara (2022): The Turning Point of Rishab Shetty
The biggest turning point in Rishab Shetty’s career was the film Kantara, in which he worked as both actor and director. This film proved to be an all-time blockbuster of the Kannada film industry and received praise in every corner of the country.
Kantara is a cultural and spiritual journey that showcases folklore, nature, and divinity. The film’s success earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor and Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Personal Life
Rishab Shetty’s wife name is Pragathi Shetty. He says that his wife Pragati has stood by him in every phase of his life, be it struggle or success.
Rishab always prefers to stay down to earth. After the global success of Kantara, he left the city of Bengaluru and settled in his village Kundapura, from where he directs all his upcoming projects, including Kantara: Chapter 1.
Rishab Shetty’s Movie List
Tuglak (2012) Debut film
Ulidavaru Kandante (2014) Breakthrough performance
Ricky (2016) First directorial debut
Kirik Party (2016) Massive box office hit (as a director)
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021) Critically acclaimed
Kantara (2022) National Award-winning film (as an actor/director)
Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025) Massive Hit (as an actor/director)
Upcoming Films
Jai Hanuman (In Pre-Production)
The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – Releasing on 2027
Awards and Achievements
National Film Award for Best Actor for Kantara
Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Kantara
Filmfare Best Director (Kannada) for Kirik Party
SIIMA Best Director Award
National Award for Best Children’s Film : Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu
Rishab Shetty is the only filmmaker in Kannada cinema to have won the National Award twice.
Philosophy and Vision
Rishab always represents culture, faith, and nature through his films. He believes that the more rooted the stories are, the more they will resonate with people.
He wants to bring the beauty and spirituality of Indian villages to the forefront in today’s modern cinema.
Conclusion
Rishab Shetty biography is a living example for those who possess immense talent and want to bring something positive to their society through cinema. Rishab’s journey inspires us to stay down to earth and teaches us that we can create masterpiece cinema while staying connected to our roots.
