Kannada Over Telugu: Fans Express Disappointment with Rishab Shetty at Hyderabad Event

The pre-release event of Kantara: Chapter 1 in Hyderabad has sparked an unexpected controversy after actor-director Rishab Shetty chose to address the gathering exclusively in Kannada. The much-awaited prequel, set to release on October 2, has been promoted across multiple states, but Shetty’s language choice in Hyderabad drew criticism from Telugu fans.

While fans were excited to welcome the team, many were left disappointed when Rishab did not utter a single word in Telugu. Clips from the event quickly went viral on social media, where netizens questioned his decision. One widely shared comment summed up the mood: “They want Telugu audiences but won’t speak Telugu.”

The backlash intensified when comparisons were drawn with Rishab’s earlier promotional appearances. At the Tamil launch, he spoke in Tamil. During the Hindi promotions, he addressed audiences in Hindi. However, in Hyderabad, despite the city being a crucial market for the film, he stuck firmly to Kannada. Many viewed this as dismissive of Telugu-speaking audiences, especially given the film’s pan-Indian ambitions.

Observers also pointed out that non-Telugu actors who are not fluent in the language often switch to English as a neutral option. Rishab, however, preferred to stay with Kannada, signaling his comfort and confidence in expressing himself in his mother tongue.

While this move has sparked debate, industry insiders believe the issue may settle down once the film hits theaters. With Kantara already enjoying a strong following, the controversy highlights the growing sensitivity around language and regional pride in Indian cinema. Whether Rishab’s choice impacts the film’s reception in the Telugu states remains to be seen, but the incident has certainly become a talking point ahead of its release.