Gulshan Devaiah makes his Kannada debut as the powerful Kulashekara in Rishab Shetty’s much-awaited prequel, Kantara: Chapter 1. Releasing worldwide on October 2, 2025, the film promises epic storytelling, a grand visual spectacle, and a deeper dive into the Kantara mythology.
Exciting news from the world of Indian cinema, as Gulshan Devaiah has officially joined the cast of Kantara: Chapter 1. This prequel to the 2022 hit, Kantara, has been in the news since the announcement of its release, and this casting announcement certainly deserves a round of applause. Gulshan Davaiah is one of the more versatile actors in Indian cinema right now, who will be playing Kulashekara, a powerful royal figure. Therefore, we are sure he will bring everything he can to the mythical storyline of this movie.
Kantara: Chapter 1 is slated for its global release on October 2, 2025, in seven languages (Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English). The film is quickly gaining traction to be one of the most ambitious Indian films in years.
Gulshan Devaiah: A Dynamic New Move in Kannada Cinema
Gulshan Devaiah is well known for his quirky performances in a range of films, including Hunterrr, Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, and Badhaai Do, and has differentiated himself from some of the more conventional roles in Bollywood. As an actor who can slide into many characters, Devaiah is loved amongst fans who appreciate great storylines, and not just same-same roles, and can credibly portray stories of many genres.
Devaiah’s appearance in this film marks his first role in Kannada cinema, which showcases the pan-Indian nature of many modern Indian films. Like Fahadh Faasil and Vijay Sethupathi breaking regional cinema contentions, with Devaiah’s approach to a Kannada film, means that regional industries are assimilating into a unified national film industry.
First Look of Kulashekara: Royalty Redefined
In a recent tweet, the creators shared the first look poster of Devaiah’s character, and suddenly, the Internet was abuzz. The poster shows Devaiah sitting on a lavish throne, dressed in royal finery, with blingy jewelry and a big crown— it works perfectly for depicting the Royalty of Kulashekara.
This image symbolism suggests a character who is royal and influential and is someone who plays a significant role in establishing the backstory of the mystical realm that we now know exists, thanks to Kantara, which premiered in 2022. Fans are speculating whether Kulashekara will be a somewhat righteous ruler or a disregarded nuisance.
“Cinema is heading down a route towards niche, and viewers will gravitate to authenticity and complex, layered stories. For me, it’s important to not just cast an actor that can help sell a film (on star power), it’s important to cast an actor that can give Kulashekara authenticity, a substantial character.” – [Relative Film critic’s perspective behalf line]
Why This Casting Update Matters
This is not just another casting update; it’s important for a few reasons:
Cross-promoting across regions: Gulshan Devaiah’s popularity in Bollywood and Rishab Shetty’s stardom in Kannada cinema will attract audiences from all directions.
Elevated storytelling: Devaiah is talented at playing complexity, particularly as a lead character in a mythological drama composed like Kantara.
Pan-India reach and impact: By having Devaiah in the film, the multiple language release will resonate strongly in northern India.
New energy: As it will be his first Kannada film, fans will want to see how he adapts to the language and regional storytelling tropes.
Kantara: Chapter 1 – The Bigger Picture
Visiting the Origins
Directed and written by Rishab Shetty (who returns as the lead), the sequel, Kantara: Chapter 1, is a prequel. It won’t have the same plot, with two 2-heroes and a unique blend of local traditions and folklore combined with mysticism, it will examine the mythological commons.
Release date(s) and languages
Worldwide Release Date: October 2, 2025
Languages: Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, English
Releasing in 7 languages worldwide tells you the size of the project. The first installment achieved over ₹400 crores worldwide. The first film achieved a benchmark for how far Kannada created a footprint in cinema had come. Chapter 1 is expected to exceed those limits even higher.
Gulshan Devaiah’s History of Great Characters
To fully understand why this casting is so exciting for fans, it’s worth looking back at Devaiah’s rich catalogue:
Hunterrr (2015) – A cult classic film in which he showed his proverbial impeccable comic timing and ability to inhabit unusual characters.
Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota (2019) – His double role of Karate Mani and Jimmy, though they worked in isolation, received universal acclaim.
A Death in the Gunj (2017) – He had a performance widely praised by critics that showed his range and emotional complexity.
Badhaai Do (2022) – A layered performance that added legitimacy to the storyline.
These are only a handful of examples of why Gulshan Devaiah will be an asset in portraying Kulashekara – there are elements of weight, intensity, and genuine portrayal.
Industry Buzz and Audience Reactions
The announcement has generated huge enthusiasm across social media. In a matter of hours following the matched poster, phrases and hashtags like #GulshanDevaiah and #KantaraChapter1 began trending. Fans poured their excitement onto Twitter and Instagram with comments like:
“Finally, black and white Bollywood talent meets setting brilliance – cannot wait for this!”
“Kalashekara Gulshan Devaiah looks royal AF. Got goosebumps!”
“Kantara was magic. Chapter 1 will be legendary!”
Some industry pundits believe this cast is a strategic stroke of genius. By adding another actor from Hindi cinema, the creators have positioned themselves for a wider audience pull – especially in the states of northern India, where Kantara gained traction in its early run through dubbed versions of the movie.
The Ascending Pan-India Trend
The casting of Gulshan Devaiah also represents the pan-India movement in Indian cinema. Just as actors like Alia Bhatt (RRR), Prithviraj Sukumaran (Salaar), and Jagapathi Babu (Pushpa) transcended industries, Devaiah’s debut performance in Kannada films depicts how storytelling in cinema today crosses linguistic and regional divides.
A 2024 FICCI-EY Media Report stated that pan-India releases now account for more than 45% of India’s box office income, a solid indication that audiences want real, genuine stories no matter the language.
A New Era
Gulshan Devaiah joining Kantara: Chapter 1 as Kulashekara has set expectations high. With his proven performance ability and with Rishab Shetty’s creative storytelling, we are in for a cinematic treat.
FAQs
1. Who is Gulshan Devaiah playing in Kantara: Chapter 1?
He will play the character Kulashekara, a key royal character with relevance in film mythology.
2. Is this Gulshan Devaiah’s first Kannada film?
Yes, this is the first time he has worked in Kannada cinema.
3. When will the film Kantara: Chapter 1 release?
The movie is planned for a grand worldwide release on October 2, 2025.
4. Who is directing Kantara: Chapter 1?
The film is directed and scripted by Rishab Shetty, who stars in the movie.
