Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty made a special journey to Mangaluru on Thursday, keeping a sacred promise he made to the divine forces. Shetty visited the Varahi Panjurli Daiva Kola at Barebail to fulfill a vow he had undertaken before the monumental release of his blockbuster film, Kantara: A Legend: Chapter 1.
A Sacred Promise Fulfilled
Before the film's release, Rishab Shetty had pledged that if Kantara succeeded at the box office, he would return to offer a Kola ritual. The film's phenomenal success, both critically and commercially, set the stage for this spiritual homecoming. True to his word, Shetty arrived at the sacred ceremony to participate in the traditional Bhoota Kola, a ritualistic folk dance form central to the film's narrative and his own cultural roots.
A Family and Team Affair
The actor was not alone in this significant act of devotion. He was accompanied by his wife, Pragathi Shetty, and their children, making it a personal family moment. The team from his production house, Hombale Films, which backed Kantara, also joined him. Actor Shaneel Gautham was part of the group as well, showing the close-knit nature of the Kantara family.
The entire team immersed themselves in the traditional proceedings. Following the ritual, they also participated in the ceremonial feast and community meal arrangements, sharing food and blessings with the local community, a key aspect of the Daiva Kola tradition.
A Previous Divine Connection
This visit marks a continued spiritual connection for Rishab Shetty with this particular temple. Reports indicate that the actor had previously participated in the same temple's ritual in April of last year. It was during that earlier visit that the deity is said to have given him a divine warning, an event that further deepens the narrative around his commitment to the ritual and its significance in his life and work.
The fulfillment of this vow underscores the deep cultural and personal authenticity Rishab Shetty brought to Kantara. His journey back to the Kola is not just about keeping a promise, but a testament to his respect for the traditions that inspired one of Indian cinema's most celebrated recent stories.
