Tollywood vs Bollywood: Who Will Win Kantara Star Rishab Shetty’s Next Film?

In the world of Indian cinema, few films manage to create an unforgettable impact. After the massive success of Baahubali, Pushpa and KGF, another South Indian film that captured hearts across the nation was Kantara. Directed and acted by Rishab Shetty, the movie became a proud moment for Kannada cinema and turned him into a national star.

Released in 2022, the film showcased Rishab Shetty’s brilliance both as an actor and director. After KGF brought global attention to Kannada films, Kantara proved that strong storytelling could surpass star power. The movie’s success opened new doors for Rishab Shetty by making him one of the most sought-after talents in the Indian film industry.

In 2025, Rishab achieved yet another milestone with Kantara Chapter 1 which became the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. His transformation into a national star has now sparked a tug of war between Tollywood and Bollywood.

Tollywood filmmaker Prasanth Varma announced that Rishab will play the lead in his upcoming mythological epic Jai Hanuman. On the other hand, Bollywood is reportedly preparing a grand biopic titled The Pride of Bharat based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with Rishab in the lead role.

Both projects are massive in scale and emotionally powerful but Rishab can only choose one to begin with. While Jai Hanuman continues his journey in mythological storytelling, The Pride of Bharat offers him a chance to strengthen his pan-India presence in Bollywood.