May 8, 2025: The production of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 came to a tragic halt on Tuesday after junior artiste MF Kapil, an actor from Kerala, drowned in the Kollur Souparnika river. According to a report, Kapil went for a swim in the river during a break from filming but was swept away by a strong current.
Following the incident, the local authorities and fire department launched a search and rescue operation. Unfortunately, Kapil’s body was recovered later that evening. The Kollur police have filed a case and are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
The film’s team has yet to release an official statement regarding the tragedy.
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This incident comes after a series of challenges during the production of Kantara: Chapter 1. In November of the previous year, a bus carrying 20 junior artistes overturned in Kollur, severely injuring six people. However, a source close to the film’s team dismissed the incident as a “minor accident” and denied reports of injuries.
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Earlier this year, Hombale Films, the production company behind the film, faced a fine of ₹50,000 for allegedly dumping film set materials in the Sakleshpur forest. The team was also accused of damaging trees by blasting and axing them. A massive set constructed for the film was reportedly destroyed by wind and rain.
This tragic event is not the first time a film set has witnessed such a calamity. Tamil films Indian 2 and Sardar 2 also experienced fatalities during filming, leading to shoot halts and police investigations.
The production of Kantara: Chapter 1 has now been paused indefinitely as the investigation into the death of MF Kapil continues.