Latest news with #Niju
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Boat capsizes during Kantara-1 shooting
Shivamogga: A boat capsized in a reservoir during the shooting of Kannada film Kantara: Chapter 1. However, actor-director Rishab Shetty and 30 crew members escaped unhurt, averting a major mishap, police sources said. This incident allegedly occurred during the filming in the Mani reservoir in the Masti Katte region of Shivamogga district, they added. The accident occurred in a shallow zone of the reservoir, near an area locally known as Melina Koppa, which helped avert a possible tragedy. However, cameras and other filming equipment are believed to have been lost to the water. The losses are yet to be assessed. According to the Thirthahalli police, who visited the spot, people onboard escaped unhurt. Police are investigating. Theatre artist Ramadas Poojary told PTI that making a movie on the spirits of Dakshina Kannada is always risky, as the spirits (Bhootas-Daivas) do not like the commercialisation of any activity connected to them. However, Rishab Shetty, who reveres the spirits, has conducted elaborate poojas to them and was given permission to make the film, says Poojary. A senior crew member who spoke to PTI on the condition of anonymity said some of the crew members panicked when the boat overturned, but since it was in the shallow waters, all of them waded through to safety. 'It shows that the spirits have blessed us in some way,' the crew member said. This incident marks yet another setback for Kantara: Chapter 1, which is grappling with a series of unfortunate events. In the past month alone, the production team has lost three artists to unrelated incidents, adding to the challenges faced by the film's crew. According to reports, in a heartbreaking turn of events, Kalabhavan Niju, a well-known mimicry artist and actor from Kerala, passed away after suffering a heart attack in Bengaluru, where the film's shoot is currently underway. He was 43. According to a report by OnManorama, Niju was staying at a homestay arranged for the cast members when he began experiencing severe chest pain. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved. Mimicry artist Kannan Sagar confirmed the news, revealing that he was informed of Niju's passing via a WhatsApp group message around 10:30 pm on Thursday. Niju, who had recently appeared in the film Marco, had reportedly auditioned for his part in Kantara: Chapter 1. His sudden demise marks the third death associated with the film's unit in recent months. Just weeks earlier, in May, actor and comedian Rakesh Poojary died of cardiac arrest while attending a wedding. That same month, 32-year-old junior artiste MF Kapil tragically drowned in the Souparnika river after being caught in a cross current. Though not fatal, a major accident was narrowly avoided last November when a minibus carrying 20 junior artistes from the shoot met with an accident in Mudoor. Around the same time, an elaborate set constructed for the film was destroyed due to torrential rains. Kantara: Chapter 1 is an upcoming Indian Kannada-language fantasy action film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Set against the historical backdrop of the Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi, the film serves as a prequel to Shetty's 2022 blockbuster Kantara. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under the banner of Hombale Films, the project features Rishab Shetty and Jayaram in prominent roles, promising an epic narrative rooted in folklore, mythology, and action. The filming of Kantara: Chapter 1 commenced in November 2023. The first look and teaser were unveiled on 27 November 2023, introducing Rishab Shetty in a striking avatar as a Naga Sadhu with superhuman abilities. The visually arresting publicity poster was crafted by Kaani Studio. The film's music, including its soundtrack and background score, is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for release on 2 October 2025.
India.com
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Another bad news for Kantara 2, actor passes away on set, third member to die during..., his name was...
Another bad news for Kantara 2, actor passes away on set, third member to die during..., his name was... Shocking! Team of Rishab Shetty's much-awaited Kantara: Chapter 1 has been hit by another tragic loss. Kalabhavan Niju, a popular mimicry artist and actor from Kerala passed away at 40 on June 12 after suffering a heart attack. Niju died in Bengaluru, where the film is currently in production. A report by Onmanorama claims that he began experiencing chest pain at his homestay, where he was staying with other crew members. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he couldn't be saved. The news was confirmed by Mimicry artist Kannan Sagar, who shared a WhatsApp message around 10:30 pm on Thursday, informing Niju's passing. Niju, who had recently starred in the film Marco, reportedly earned his place in Rishab Shetty's Kantara 2 through auditions. Unfortunately, he is third member from the Kantara 2's unit to pass away during the production. Just a week later, in May, actor and comedian Rakesh Poojary passed away due to cardiac arrest while attending a wedding. On the other hand, MF Kapil, a 32-year-old junior artiste drowned in the Karnataka's Souparnika river. Makers confirmed his demise, expressing their deep sorrow, later clarifying that the incident didn't occur on the sets. They wrote, 'No filming was scheduled on that day, and the unfortunate event would have occurred during his personal engagement outside the scope of any film related activity.' Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to 2022 blockbuster Kantara, is highly-anticipated fantasy action film, Bankrolled by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under the banner of Hombale Film, the project is written and directed by Rishabh Shetty. Moreover, he also stars in a prominent role opposite Jayaram. Set against the backdrop of the Kadamba dynasty, the first look and teaser of Kantara: Chapter 1 was unveiled on 27 November 2023. Introducing Rishab Shetty in a powerful avatar, the film is scheduled for release on 2 October, 2025.
News18
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
3rd Death On Kantara Sets, Rishab Shetty's Co-Star Kalabhavan Niju Dies Of Heart Attack
Last Updated: Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 unit mourns the loss of actor-mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju, who died of a heart attack. This marks the third death in the film's unit. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the team behind Rishab Shetty's highly anticipated Kantara: Chapter 1 has been struck by yet another tragedy. Kalabhavan Niju, a well-known mimicry artist and actor from Kerala, passed away after suffering a heart attack in Bengaluru, where the film's shoot is currently underway. He was 43. According to a report by OnManorama, Niju was staying at a homestay arranged for the cast members when he began experiencing severe chest pain. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he could not be saved. Mimicry artist Kannan Sagar confirmed the news, revealing that he was informed of Niju's passing via a WhatsApp group message around 10:30 pm on Thursday. Niju, who had recently appeared in the film Marco, had reportedly auditioned for his part in Kantara: Chapter 1. His sudden demise marks the third death associated with the film's unit in recent months. Just weeks earlier, in May, actor and comedian Rakesh Poojary died of cardiac arrest while attending a wedding. That same month, 32-year-old junior artiste MF Kapil tragically drowned in the Souparnika river after being caught in a cross current. Though not fatal, a major accident was narrowly avoided last November when a minibus carrying 20 junior artistes from the shoot met with an accident in Mudoor. Around the same time, an elaborate set constructed for the film was destroyed due to torrential rains. Kantara: Chapter 1 is an upcoming Indian Kannada-language fantasy action film, written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Set against the historical backdrop of the Kadamba dynasty of Banavasi, the film serves as a prequel to Shetty's 2022 blockbuster Kantara. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under the banner of Hombale Films, the project features Rishab Shetty and Jayaram in prominent roles, promising an epic narrative rooted in folklore, mythology, and action. The filming of Kantara: Chapter 1 commenced in November 2023. The first look and teaser were unveiled on 27 November 2023, introducing Rishab Shetty in a striking avatar as a Naga Sadhu with superhuman abilities. The visually arresting publicity poster was crafted by Kaani Studio. The film's music, including its soundtrack and background score, is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath. Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for release on 2 October 2025. First Published:
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 unit suffers another loss; actor Kalabhavan Niju dies of heart attack
The unit of Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has suffered another loss with the death of actor-mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju. The actor who hails from Kerala died due to a heart attack, as per an OnManorama report. This is the third such death the film's unit has seen since they began shooting. (Also Read: Kantara Chapter 1 postponed? Makers of Rishab Shetty-starrer break silence) The report states that Niju died on Thursday night in Bengaluru, where he was shooting for Kantara: Chapter 1. The 43-year-old complained of chest pain at the homestay arranged for the film's artistes and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he did not make it. Niju, who was most recently seen in Marco, reportedly auditioned to land the role in Rishab's film. Mimicry artist Kannan Sagar confirmed the death and said he was alerted about it at 10:30 PM on Thursday in a shared WhatsApp group. Unfortunately, this is not the first death the unit of Kantara: Chapter 1 has seen lately. In May this year, Kannada actor-comedian Rakesh Poojary died of a cardiac arrest at a friend's wedding at age 33. Before that, in the same month, a 32-year-old junior artiste called MF Kapil from Kerala was caught in the cross current at Souparnika river and died. In November last year, a minibus carrying 20 junior artistes met with an accident in Mudoor, and they luckily escaped unscathed. Before that, an expensive set designed for Kantara: Chapter 1 was destroyed by heavy rain. Kantara: Chapter 1 is a prequel to Rishab Shetty's 2022 hit Kantara. The film is produced by Hombale Films, which recently made the KGF and Salaar films. Rishab will play the lead role again in the film that is scheduled for release on 2 October this year.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Kantara 2' suffers yet another loss, mimicry artist Kalabhavan Niju passes away
Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 suffered yet another loss after the passing away of actor Kalabhavan Niju. The actor, who hails from Kerala, passed away due to a heart attack. According to Onmanorama report, Niju was taken to hospital after he complained of sever chest pain. He succumbed to a heart attack. A popular mimicry artist from Vadanappally in Thrissur, Niju had previously starred in Unni Mukundan's hit Malayalam films Malikappuram (2022) and Marco (2024). The actor was roped in for Kantara 2, the prequel to the 2022 sensational Kannada hit, after auditons. The movie is set to hit the screens on October 2, 2025. With a little over three months remaining for the release of the movie, the prequel has been in the news for the unexpected deaths of the crew members. On May 12, 2025, actor Rakesh Poojary, television personality and comedian, passed away at 34 due to a sudden cardiac arrest in Udupi. Rakesh was best known for winning the Kannada reality show Comedy Khiladigalu Season 3. A Week before Rakesh's death, a crew member from the movie drowned near Udupi, Karnataka. The deceased, 32-year-old MF Kapil from Kottayam, Kerala, was caught in the cross currents when he went to the Souparnika river in Kollur in Udupi. Locals rescued him from the water, but Kapil died later. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of M.F. Kapil, may they find strength and peace in this difficult time. ಎಂ.ಎಫ್. ಕಪಿಲ್ ಅವರ ಅಗಲಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ನಮಗೆ ತೀವ್ರ ದುಃಖವಾಗಿದೆ. ಅವರ ಕುಟುಂಬಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂತಾಪಗಳು…🙏🏼 — Hombale Films (@hombalefilms) May 8, 2025 ALSO READ: 'Kantara: Chapter 1' crew member drowns near Udupi; shoot halted Kantara: Chaper 1 is produced by Hombale Films of KGF and Salaar fame. Arvind Kashyap is the cinematographer while Ajaneesh Loknath is the music director. Rishab will play the lead in the movie. The makers released the first-look teaser of the movie in November, 2023.
