From Selling Water Bottles To Creating a Rs 600 Crore Blockbuster, Meet National Award Winner Rishab Shetty

Rishab Shetty’s story is one of pure determination, patience, and belief. Today, he is celebrated across India for creating Kantara, a movie that brought together folklore, devotion, and stunning visuals. But behind this success lie years of struggle, rejection, and hard work that shaped him into the filmmaker he is now.

Rishab Shetty’s Early Life and Connection to Culture

Rishab Shetty was born on July 7, 1983, in Kundapura, a small town in Karnataka’s Udupi district. His real name was Prashanth Shetty, but he changed it to Rishab Shetty after consulting an astrologer. Coming from a middle-class family, Rishab grew up surrounded by local traditions and rituals like Bhoota Kola, which later inspired the themes in Kantara.

From a young age, he was drawn to storytelling and performing arts. To follow his dream, he studied filmmaking at the Government Film and Television Institute (GFTI) in Bangalore, where he began learning the craft of cinema.

Rishab Shetty’s Struggles Before Fame

Before becoming a director, Rishab Shetty faced countless challenges. To survive in Mumbai, he took up several odd jobs, from working in real estate to selling water cans. He even worked as a producer’s driver and office boy in a production house in Andheri West.

At a press event, Rishab once shared, “I used to be an office boy and a driver. I never thought that one day I’d make a movie that people across the country would love. I used to eat vada pav on the streets near that office and dream about cinema. I’m very grateful for where life has brought me.”

His journey was not easy, but he never gave up on his dream to make meaningful films.

Rishab Shetty’s Early Films and First Big Hit

Rishab Shetty made his acting debut with the Kannada film Tughlaq in 2012. Though it didn’t make much impact, he continued to work hard. In 2016, he directed his first film, Ricky, which got an average response at the box office.

However, the same year, his second directorial, Kirik Party, became a blockbuster hit. The film made Rishab a known name in the Kannada film industry. Two years later, his film Sa.Hi.Pra.Shaale Kasaragody Koduge: Ramanna Rai won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film at the 66th National Awards, giving him recognition as both a talented filmmaker and storyteller.

Kantara: The Film That Changed Everything

In 2022, Rishab Shetty created Kantara, a movie made on a modest budget of just ₹16 crore. But the film went on to collect over ₹400 crore worldwide, becoming a massive success. Kantara captured the hearts of millions with its unique blend of myth, culture, and divine folklore.

The movie didn’t just make money, it made history. It brought global attention to Kannada cinema and made Rishab Shetty a household name. The actor-director also won the Best Actor Award, and Kantara received the Best Popular Film Award at the 77th National Film Awards.

Kantara: Chapter 1 and Rishab’s Message to Fans

After the success of the original, Kantara: Chapter 1 continued to dominate the box office. Within just 12 days, the film collected over ₹675 crore globally. Released in seven languages, Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and English, it reached audiences across the country and beyond.

Sharing his gratitude, Rishab wrote, “From struggling to get one evening show in 2016 to 5000+ houseful shows in 2025, this journey is nothing but your love, support, and God’s grace. Forever grateful to every single person who made this possible.”

Rishab Shetty’s Inspiring Journey

From a small-town boy who once sold water cans to one of India’s most respected filmmakers, Rishab Shetty’s journey is proof that dreams come true with hard work, patience, and faith. His story continues to inspire millions, showing that no struggle is too big when passion drives you forward.