Actor-director Rishab Shetty has canceled the Chennai promotional event for his upcoming film Kantara: Chapter 1, scheduled for September 30, 2025, in response to the tragic stampede at actor-politician Vijay's rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, which resulted in at least 41 fatalities and numerous injuries.
The stampede occurred during a political rally organized by Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, where an estimated 50,000 supporters gathered. The overcrowded conditions, combined with extreme heat and limited access to medical assistance, led to chaos and suffocation, culminating in the tragic incident. Vijay, who arrived several hours late, expressed profound sorrow and announced financial aid of ₹20 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh for the injured.
In light of this tragedy, Hombale Films, the production house behind Kantara: Chapter 1, issued a statement expressing their condolences and announcing the cancellation of the Chennai event. The statement read, "In view of the recent unfortunate incident, we have decided to cancel our Kantara Chapter 1 promotional event scheduled in Chennai tomorrow. We believe this is a time for reflection and solidarity with those affected. Our deepest condolences and prayers are with the families impacted".
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 film Kantara, is set to release on October 2, 2025. The film, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, delves into the origins of mythological traditions and ancestral conflicts introduced in the original film. The cast includes Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah.
The decision to cancel the promotional event reflects the team's sensitivity to the current events and their emphasis on public safety and empathy during a time of mourning.
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