Rishab Shetty is a well-known actor and filmmaker in India especially in the Kannada film industry. He has built his career without any family connections in the industry and has significantly influenced Kannada cinema with his work. However, his path to success was far from easy.
Born on July 7, 1983, in Mangaluru, Karnataka, Rishab Shetty grew up with a strong interest in films. He attended Vijaya College in Bengaluru where he earned a B.Com degree and participated actively in college plays. To further his passion he obtained a diploma in film direction from the Government Film and TV Institute.
Despite his enthusiasm, breaking into the film industry was challenging. Rishab didn’t have any contacts or guidance on how to enter the industry. Inspired by the story of a Kannada actor who started as an assistant director, he decided to follow a similar path. Rishab took a short-term filmmaking course and began working as an assistant director. He spent six to seven years learning the ropes before moving into acting.
During these years, Rishab faced numerous financial difficulties. To support himself, he took on various odd jobs including selling water canisters and working in hotels. He started doing these jobs in his second year of college to afford movie tickets and avoid constantly asking his father for money. It took him ten years of hard work and perseverance before he directed his first film in 2014.
Rishab’s journey in the film industry began with roles behind the scenes. He worked as a clap boy, spot boy, and assistant director before landing his first acting role in the movie “Thuglak.” In 2016, he made his directorial debut with Ricky which starred Rakshit Shetty.
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Rishab Shetty became a household name with the release of “Kantara” in 2022, a film he directed and starred in. The movie, produced in collaboration with Hombale Films became the second highest-grossing Kannada movie of all time. Kantara received widespread acclaim for its storytelling and Rishab’s performance earning praise from both audiences and critics. The film’s success extended beyond Karnataka as it was released in four other Indian languages and appreciated nationwide and internationally.
Rishab Shetty’s Personal Front
On the personal front, Rishab Shetty married Pragathi Shetty, a software engineer in 2017. They have two children, a son named Ranvit and a daughter named Raadya. Pragathi has also become involved in the film industry, working as a costume designer on several of Rishab’s projects.
