‘The Deva helped us reach this point’: Rishab Shetty wins two major IFFM 2026 honours for ‘Kantara’
Rishab Shetty had a memorable nite at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026 as his work in ‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’ brought him major recognition. The actor-filmmaker won the Best Director award for the film and also received the Leadership in Cinema Award. The double honour marks an important moment in his career and adds to the growing appreciation for his distinctive style of filmmaking.
Rishab Shetty opens up about Kantara ’s difficult journey
The recognition is especially significant because Shetty’s cinema often draws from Indian traditions, folklore and local communities. Speaking after receiving the honours, he opened up about the challenges involved in making ‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1.’ “Kantara was a nightmare for us to execute. It was such a risk. We didn’t really think too much about it; we just went with the flow. But the Deva helped us reach this point and complete this film. I think I am very short of words,” Shetty said. His words reflected the uncertainty and effort that went into bringing the ambitious project to the screen.
Rishab Shetty’s IFFM recognition adds to his global presence
The IFFM recognition also places Rishab Shetty among several leading names celebrated at the festival. The Best Performance (Male) category featured major Indian actors including Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Ahaan Panday, Bhuman Bhargav Das and Sanjay Mishra. While Shetty’s current recognition is for his direction, the honour further highlights his growing presence on the international stage. His journey from regional storytelling to global recognition has made him one of the notable voices in contemporary Indian cinema.
‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’ expands Rishab Shetty’s cinematic universe
‘Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1’ continues Shetty’s exploration of stories deeply connected to Indian culture and traditions. The film is a prequel to his earlier blockbuster ‘Kantara’ and expands the world of the original story with a larger canvas. Rishab Shetty serves as the director and lead actor, continuing his work on the franchise. With two major IFFM honours now added to his name, the filmmaker has reached another milestone while taking culturally rooted Indian stories to audiences across the world.
