FIR against Rishab Shetty demanded as 'Kantara: Chapter 1' junior artist dies on set. Accident or negligence?

Production of Kantara: Chapter 1 came to an abrupt halt on May 6 after a junior artiste, MF Kapil, tragically drowned in the Souparnika River near Kollur, Karnataka. Kapil, 33, a native of Moosarithara in Kerala, reportedly entered the river during a break from shooting. According to initial reports, he was swept away by strong currents and his body was recovered later that night. The incident took place around 3:45 PM. Authorities confirmed that an FIR was registered at the Kollur Police Station, and a formal investigation is underway.

AICWA Raises Allegations of Negligence
Following the incident, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) issued a detailed statement expressing serious concerns over the circumstances of Kapil’s death. The organization called for an FIR against actor-director Rishab Shetty and the film’s production house, Hombale Films. Citing similar past tragedies, including technician deaths on the sets of Indian 2 and Sardar 2, as well as a previous bus accident involving 20 junior artistes, AICWA criticized what it described as a pattern of misrepresentation and negligence on film sets.

The association stated that such incidents are often downplayed by production houses, who they allege provide misleading narratives about the cause of death. They emphasized that the drowning claim in Kapil’s case must be thoroughly investigated to determine if other factors were involved.

Media Release
Date: May 8, 2025

Subject: AICWA Demands Impartial Investigation into the Tragic Death of Junior Artist MF Kapil on the Set of “Kantara 2 (Chapter-1)”

Mumbai – The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) expresses deep sorrow over the tragic demise of junior… pic.twitter.com/QTDR0wU4v9

— All Indian Cine Workers Association (@AICWAOfficial) May 8, 2025

AICWA has called upon Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to order a high-level and impartial inquiry into the incident. The association also demanded that Rishab Shetty and the producers be held legally accountable. Furthermore, AICWA urged the producers of Kantara: Chapter 1 to provide Kapil’s family with a compensation of Rs 1 crore, arguing that the loss of life on a film set demands both accountability and restitution.

Kantara: Chapter 1 Production History and Challenges
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to Rishab Shetty’s 2022 hit Kantara, is set during the Kadamba dynasty’s rule in Banavasi. The film, which stars Rishab Shetty along with Jayaram, Kishore, Jayasurya, and Jisshu Sengupta, is scheduled for release on October 2, 2025. Despite the production team's assurance that the release timeline remains unchanged, the project has faced multiple hurdles, including severe weather damaging a costly set and scrutiny from the forest department over environmental concerns.

Previously, a bus transporting junior artistes overturned near Kollur, though no injuries were reported at the time. Most recently, before the drowning incident, the crew had begun rehearsals for a large-scale battle sequence involving 3,000 participants and over 500 trained fighters, highlighting the massive scale and ambition behind the film.

As of now, neither Rishab Shetty nor the production house has publicly responded to the AICWA’s demands or the ongoing investigation. The association maintains that the industry must take greater responsibility for worker safety and bring an end to what it described as a culture of silence and concealment around on-set fatalities.