Rishab Shetty

He next played an important role in Ulidavaru Kandante (2014) and made his directorial debut with Ricky (2016). His next directorial Kirik Party (2016) was a commercial success and fetched him Filmfare Award for Best Director, and SIIMA Award for Best Director. Later he directed Sarkari Hi. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai (2018), which got him the National Film Award for Best Children's Film and Karnataka State Film Award for Best Family Entertainer.

• Name — Rishab Shetty • Birth Name — Prashanth Shetty • Born — 7 July 1983 • Birthplace — Keradi, Karnataka, India • Education — Vijaya College • Occupation — * Actor • Director • Producer • Screenwriter • Years Active — 2006–present • Children — 2

Prashanth Shetty was born on 7 July 1983 in Keradi village in Kundapura Taluk of Udupi District, Karnataka to a Bunt family. He did his schooling in Kundapura and later joined Vijaya College, Bengaluru to pursue B.Com. He started his theatre journey by doing yakshagana plays in his hometown actively while studying in Bengaluru. He was appreciated for his work and success in these plays encouraged him to pursue acting as a profession.

After his graduation, Shetty worked several odd jobs like selling water cans, real estate and did hotel work while also trying for roles in movies. While working odd jobs, he also acquired a diploma in film direction from the Government Film and TV Institute in Bangalore. He started working in the film industry as a clap boy, then as a spot boy, and then was an assistant director. He met Rakshit Shetty while working in the industry, they became friends later on. His first major acting role was in Tuglak (2012). He played a small but impactful role of a police officer in Pawan Kumar's Lucia and then played an important role in Ulidavaru Kandante, which was directed by Rakshit Shetty. In 2016, his directorial debut Ricky starring Rakshit Shetty received an average response at the box office. In the same year, he directed Kirik Party, which was an industry hit at the box office. After this, In 2018 Shetty directed and produced Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai, which received critical acclaim and won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film as well as Karnataka State Film Award. He debuted as a lead actor in Bell Bottom (2019) which was well received. His major role after this was that of Mangaluru-based gangster Hari in the film Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021). The film was a commercial and critical success in which the performance of Rishab Shetty and its director Raj B. Shetty was widely appreciated by critics. • Illustration — The Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu conferring the National Film Award for Best Children's Film in December 2019 • Illustration — The President Droupadi Murmu conferring the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in October 2024 He then appeared briefly in two films, Mishan Impossible and Harikathe Alla Girikathe (both in 2022), the former being his Telugu film debut. Shetty collaborated with Hombale Films for his next directorial Kantara in which he was also the lead actor. It was initially released only in Kannada and was later dubbed into other languages, after receiving critical success. Kantara is the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all-time worldwide and also received Swarna Kamal for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Rishab won Rajat Kamal for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance and At the 54th IFFI 2023 he won IFFI Special Jury Award. In 2025, he acted and directed Kantara: Chapter 1, A prequel to the 2022 film Kantara. The film became a commercial success at the box office and is currently the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all-time, second highest grossing Indian film of 2025 and also ranks among highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

• All films are in Kannada language, unless otherwise mentioned • Year — Title — Role — Notes — Reference • 2012 — Tuglak — Villain • 2013 — Attahasa — Undercover Cop • Lucia — Police Inspector • 2014 — Ulidavaru Kandanthe — Raghu • Gargar Mandala — Dubbing artist for Adarsh • 2016 — Ricky — Radhakrishna's friend • 2018 — Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale — Inspector Kempraju • Ambi Ning Vayassaytho — Director of the movie — Cameo appearance • 2019 — Bell Bottom — Detective Divakara • Katha Sangama — Mentally Disturbed Person • Avane Srimannarayana — Cowboy Krishna — Cameo appearance • 2021 — Hero — Hero • SriKrishna@gmail.com — Police Inspector — Cameo appearance • Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana — Hari • 2022 — Mishan Impossible — Khaleel — Telugu film; Cameo appearance • Harikathe Alla Girikathe — Giri and Himself — Dual roles • Kantara — Kaadubettu Shiva and Annappa • 2023 — Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare — Senior — Cameo appearance • 2025 — Kantara: Chapter 1 — Berme, Mayakara, Annappa and Kaadubettu Shiva — Four roles

• Year — Title — Notes • 2016 — Ricky — Debut as director • Kirik Party • 2018 — Sa.Hi.Pra.Shaale Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai • 2022 — Kantara • 2025 — Kantara: Chapter 1

• Year — Title — Notes • 2018 — Sa.Hi.Pra.Shaale Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai • 2019 — Katha Sangama • 2021 — Hero — Also co-writer • Pedro • 2022 — Shivamma Yarehanchinala • 2024 — Colors — As presenter; TV mini series • Laughing Buddha

On 7 July 2023, He founded the Rishab Shetty Foundation, through which he adopted a Kannada government school in Keradi and supports educational initiatives. In 2026, he participated in the launch of the International Volunteer Year (IVY) 2026 initiative.

• 2022: OTT Play honoured Rishab Shetty with "Pioneering Contributions to New Wave Cinema" Award and In 2023, it honoured him "Gamechanger of the Year" Award. • 2025: GQ Men of the Year honoured him with "Cinematic Powerhouse" Award.