A viral poster of Kantara: Chapter 1 has asked viewers to abstain from non-vegetarian food, alcohol and tobacco before watching the movie. However, actor and director Rishab Shetty has slammed the poster as fake, clarifying that neither he nor the production team have anything to do with the poster.
"The poster is fake and has nothing to do with us. It appears to be the work of someone trying to go viral. Everyone has the right to make personal lifestyle and dietary choices. No one should impose their beliefs on others," Rishab Shetty stated.
The fake poster claimed that those who watch the movie should adhere to "three divine steps" to watch Kantara: Chapter 1 on October 2, saying they should not consume alcohol, not smoke and not have non-vegetarian food. It even asked fans to fill a Google form and get a certificate of participation.
The poster went viral after many enthusiastic fans shared the poster without verifying the authenticity.
However, Rishab said the film does not endorse such messages, adding, "I was shocked when I first saw it. I even cross-checked with my production team to confirm it was not something we had done."
Talking about his hard work, Rishab Shetty said the cast and crew have not slept properly for the past three months. "Everyone worked on the film as if it were their own. In fact, I myself almost died four or five times during the shoot. But the divine we believed in saved me."
The actor-director pointed out that Kantara has been an emotional journey for him for the past five years, working on the first part for two years and the prequel for three years.
"In these five years, I could not take care of my family and children. The only emotion I have now is the one that completes cinema," he added.