New Delhi:
Rishab Shetty, who won a National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Kantara, has come under fire online after he reportedly said that Bollywood often portrays India in a negative light. The comment did not go down well with the internet, which was quick to point out a scene in Kantara in which Rishab pinches his co-star Saptami Gowda’s waist. Times of India quoted Rishab in a Kannada interview with Metro Saga as saying, “Indian cinema, especially Bollywood, often portrays India in a negative light. These so-called art films are screened at international events and garner special attention. For me, my country, my state and my language are a source of pride. I believe in showing them in a positive light to the world and that is exactly what I am aiming to do.”
After Rishab’s comments went viral, Reddit shared a video clip of Kantara with the caption, “Meanwhile, Rishab Shetty is in his own film.” Reddit users were quick to slam Rishab. One user wrote, “There was also a scene where he climaxes while she is bathing. It was really uncomfortable to watch. The film is definitely great but sexual harassment has become too common in Indian films.” Another commented, “As a kid, I noticed something was wrong with South Indian songs. Later I realised it was the navel. They are over sexualising the navel.”
Another commented, “This guy made one hit film and now he thinks he’s Steven Spielberg. Kantara is an overrated film that barely deserves a rewatch and is only lucky to have ridden the anti-Bollywood wave to pave the way for regional cinema.” Check out this post:
RISHABH SHETTY – Indian films, especially Bollywood, portray India in a bad light.
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Meanwhile, upon receiving the National Award, Rishabh Shetty expressed his gratitude and said, “I am truly honoured to receive this National Award for Kantara. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has been a part of this journey, my incredible team of artists, technicians and especially Honbale Films.”
Kantala, which is set to release in 2022, is set in the fictional village of Dakshina Kannada. The film tells the story of Rishab Shetty’s character, a Kambala champion who takes on the forest rangers. The film also stars Saptami Gowda, Kishore, Achyuth Kumar, Pramod Shetty and Prakash Thuminad. Rishab has also written and directed the film.
