Social media has turned into a relationship barometer, especially for celebrities. An unfollow becomes a headline. Fans read every digital move like tea leaves, convinced it reveals what’s happening offline. Rishab Shetty just gave them fresh material to decode.
Rishab Shetty has become a nationwide sensation after the back-to-back success of Kantara (2022) and its prequel Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025). The films performed exceptionally well worldwide—Kantara: Chapter 1 alone is reported to have grossed around ₹800 crores, making it a massive blockbuster.
After this success, however, things seem unsettled. Rishab has reportedly unfollowed Hombale Films on Instagram. Hombale, one of the biggest production houses in Kannada cinema, backed both Kantara films. While nothing is confirmed, rumors in Gandhinagar (the Kannada film industry hub) suggest the friction could be over profit-sharing arrangements. Rishab is believed to have opted for a profit-share model for the film, and differences may have cropped up around that. No official statement has been made, so this remains speculation.
Adding to the buzz, Rishab has also unfollowed two key collaborators. The first one being Rukmini Vasanth, who played the female lead in Kantara: Chapter 1 and won praise for her performance, especially the climax reveal of her negative shade has been unfollowed by Rishab. Even though she is still following Rishab, rumours have spread that all is not well between the two.
Rishab Shetty has also unfollowed Raj B Shetty on Instagram, which has reignited long-running rumours that the two are not on good terms. They have been close friends for years and frequent collaborators. Their first notable collaboration was on the 2017 Kannada film Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai, where Raj B Shetty wrote the dialogues and contributed to the screenplay. After that they teamed up again on Raj B Shetty’s directorial Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana (2021), a neo-noir gangster drama that became a cult favourite and earned widespread appreciation; Raj played Shiva while Rishab played Hari, and the film was celebrated for both performances.
The duo worked together once more on Rishab’s dream project Kantara (2022). Raj B Shetty was credited with helping shape the film’s climax sequences, and the movie went on to become a pan-India phenomenon that even won Rishab a National Film Award for Best Actor. However, after the release, speculation grew that Raj was unhappy about the direction of the announced prequel. Reports and fan chatter suggested Raj was reluctant to keep making films centred on the Daiva traditions of Tulunadu and opted out of Kantara: Chapter 1.
Since then, rumours of a fallout have surfaced repeatedly, though both actors have publicly denied any rift. Social media accounts quickly turned the move into headline-style memes, noting that the “Shetty gang” appeared to have split, but no official statement has confirmed a personal or professional break.
Hopefully they clear the air soon. A joint statement or a simple clarification from Rishab and Raj would help settle the speculation.
