Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor and filmmaker who rose to prominence following the success of Kantara (2022). The actor, filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter is known for his work in the Kannada film industry, where he has amassed tremendous popularity for his performances as well as his directorial work.
Shetty has been recognized for his role in Kantara (2022), which saw incredible reception and critical acclaim, being praised for its narrative, use of regional folklore, and adherence to traditional customs and rituals. He has also been noted for his directorial work on Ricky, Kirik Party, and Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai, all of which were critical successes.
Who Is Rishab Shetty?
Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor, director, and filmmaker best known for Kantara and Kantara: Chapter 1. He primarily works in Kannada cinema and is known for his acting and filmmaking.
Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor and filmmaker who has been at the forefront of the Indian film industry, being responsible for introducing regional tales, folklore, and cultural traditions to cinema. His birth name is Prashanth Shetty, but he became well-known under the moniker Rishab Shetty. Shetty rose to prominence through his work behind the camera before finding fame as an actor and director. Shetty started his career by working in the Kannada film industry, initially taking on minor roles as an actor before expanding his skill set to filmmaking.
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Rishab Shetty |
| Birth Name | Prashanth Shetty |
| Profession | Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 1983 |
| Birthplace | Keradi, Kundapura, Karnataka, India |
| Age | 43 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 10 inches |
| Education | Bachelor of Commerce and film direction training |
| College | Vijaya College, Bengaluru |
| Acting Debut | Tuglak (2012) |
| Directorial Debut | Ricky (2016) |
| Breakthrough Film | Kirik Party (2016) |
| Most Famous Film | Kantara (2022) |
| Wife | Pragathi Shetty |
| Children | Two |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Years Active | 2006–Present |
Rishab Shetty Age (2026), Date of Birth, and Zodiac Sign
Rishab Shetty was born on 7 July 1983 in Keradi, a village near Kundapura in Karnataka, India. He is 43 years old in 2026. His zodiac sign is Cancer.
| Attribute | Details |
| Age (As of 2026) | 43 years |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 1983 |
| Birthplace | Keradi, Kundapura, Karnataka, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Kundapura, Karnataka |
Rishab Shetty Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
His height is commonly reported to be approximately 5 feet 10 inches, although some entertainment websites list different measurements. His physical appearance varies according to the characters he portrays.
| Feature | Details |
| Height | Approximately 178 cm |
| Height in Feet | Around 5 feet 10 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Build | Athletic |
| Profession | Actor, Director, Producer |
Rishab Shetty Family Background
Rishab Shetty was born into a family in coastal Karnataka. His father is Bhaskar Shetty, and his mother is Lakshmi Shetty, according to entertainment biographies. His upbringing in the Kundapura region helped him develop an appreciation for local culture and traditional art forms.
| Relation | Name | Information |
| Father | Bhaskar Shetty | His father |
| Mother | Lakshmi Shetty | His mother |
| Wife | Pragathi Shetty | Costume designer |
| Children | Two | One son and one daughter |
| Marital Status | Married | Married in 2017 |
Educational Qualifications
Rishab Shetty did his schooling in Kundapura, Karnataka. Later, he did his bachelor’s in commerce from Vijaya College, Bangalore. While he was in college, he got interested in acting.
The exposure to traditional Yakshagana theatre art and active participation in college drama and theatre activities helped him gain confidence. Later, he did his graduation in film direction from the Government Film and Television Institute, Bengaluru. Before becoming a successful filmmaker, he worked in various capacities in the Kannada film industry.
Rishab Shetty Wife and Marital Status
Rishab Shetty got married to Pragathi Shetty, and the couple had their wedding ceremony on 9th February 2017 at Kundapura, Karnataka. She is a costume designer in the Kannada film industry. The couple has a son and a daughter. It is said that Rishab Shetty does not share much about his family and children.
In addition to his passion for cinema, Rishab Shetty has always been fond of the cultural and traditional values of coastal Karnataka. This has also inspired him to create content around such themes.
As of now, Rishab Shetty is an actor, director, and producer. His career in the film industry has been mainly focused on the Kannada film industry. However, with the tremendous success of the movie Kantara, his work has garnered much attention across the country.
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Rishab Shetty Career Highlights
Rishab Shetty is a renowned actor, director, and producer in the Kannada film industry. He has done incredible work throughout his journey in the film industry. He has actively participated in various capacities, including actor, assistant director, writer, and producer. He was initially exposed to acting through theatre and the Yakshagana art form and later transitioned into films.
Here are some of the important stages and highlights of Rishab Shetty’s career:
• Got exposed to theatre and Yakshagana, a traditional art form of Karnataka, during his school days.
• Started working in the film industry by assisting various filmmakers on different projects.
• Made his acting debut with a small role in the movie Tuglak in 2012.
• Got recognized for his role in Ulidavaru Kandante in 2014.
• Made his directorial debut with the movie Ricky in 2016.
• Directed the super hit movie Kirik Party in 2016.
• Directed Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai in 2018, which saw a good response.
• Played the lead role in the movie Bell Bottom in 2019.
• Delivered a brilliant performance in Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana in 2021.
• Directed and acted in the super hit movie Kantara in 2022.
• Received the National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in the movie Kantara.
• Acted and directed Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 in 2025.
• Was seen mainly in the third part of the Kantara franchise in 2026.
Rishab Shetty Movies List
Rishab Shetty has acted in various Kannada films as well as directed and produced a number of successful movies. Some of his popular movies are listed below:
| Year | Movie | Role / Contribution |
| 2012 | Tuglak | Actor |
| 2013 | Attahasa | Supporting role |
| 2013 | Lucia | Actor |
| 2014 | Ulidavaru Kandante | Actor and associate director |
| 2016 | Ricky | Director |
| 2016 | Kirik Party | Director |
| 2018 | Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai | Director |
| 2018 | Bell Bottom | Actor |
| 2019 | Katha Sangama | Actor and director |
| 2019 | Avane Srimannarayana | Special appearance |
| 2021 | Hero | Actor and director |
| 2021 | Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana | Actor |
| 2022 | Harikathe Alla Girikathe | Actor |
| 2022 | Kantara | Actor, director, and writer |
| 2023 | Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare | Special appearance |
| 2024 | Laughing Buddha | Producer |
| 2025 | Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 | Actor, director, and writer |
Note: This is a selection of notable projects, not a complete filmography. Roles and credits vary across films.
Rishab Shetty Web Series and TV Shows
Rishab Shetty is primarily associated with films rather than television or web series. However, he has appeared on entertainment programmes and in other screen projects.
| Year | Show / Project | Role |
| 2022 | Kantara promotional programmes | Himself |
| 2022–2023 | Entertainment programmes | Guest appearances |
| 2024 | The Rana Daggubati Show | Guest appearance |
His main professional achievements have come through theatrical films, particularly his work as a director and actor.
Awards and Achievements
Rishab Shetty has received recognition for his work in Kannada cinema. His achievements include awards for directing, acting, and contributing to regional filmmaking.
| Year | Award / Achievement | Film |
| 2017 | Filmfare Award for Best Director – Kannada | Kirik Party |
| 2017 | SIIMA Award for Best Director – Kannada | Kirik Party |
| 2018 | National Film Award for Best Children’s Film | Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai |
| 2023 | SIIMA Award for Best Director – Kannada | Kantara |
| 2023 | SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actor – Kannada | Kantara |
| 2023 | Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Award recognition | Kantara |
| 2024 | National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role | Kantara |
Rishab Shetty Net Worth 2026
Rishab Shetty is reported to be worth anywhere between ₹70 crore and ₹90 crore ($8–11 million USD). Shetty earns a pittance for his work as an actor, director, and producer. He was fetching around ₹4 crore for his work on the 2022 global blockbuster Kantara, but his current demand is peaking as his compensation for work on big-ticket movies is said to be anywhere between ₹80 crore and ₹100 crore.
His wealth primarily comes from his work in the film industry as an actor, director, and producer. He is also reported to own high-value assets like a luxury home in Kundapura that boasts a private theatre, apart from his high-value car collection. Shetty also owns his production house, Rishab Shetty Films.
Rishab Shetty Social Media
Shetty uses social media to update his fans and followers on his film and work-related happenings. He is famous for his movies, especially Kantara, and its franchise, which have garnered him an enormous following on social media.
| Social Media Platform | Account / Handle | Followers |
| @rishabshetty | 1.7M | |
| Rishab Shetty | 140K | |
| X (Twitter) | @shetty_rishab | 650K |
Conclusion
Rishab Shetty is a renowned Indian actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter primarily working in the Kannada film industry. From being a part of theatre plays and minor roles to directing movies, Shetty has had quite the journey in the film industry. Shetty began his career as an assistant director before branching out into acting and then eventually directing. Some of his notable directorial works include Ricky, Kirik Party, and Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai, among others.
However, it is the superhit movie Kantara (2022) that fetched Shetty the National Film Award for Best Actor in A Leading Role. With the announcement of Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 in 2025, Shetty is reported to be keen on exploring more Indian-centric folklore for his future movie projects. Shetty is quite the superstar in the Kannada film industry, and his work ethic and determination have shaped his prolific career.
FAQs
Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter primarily working in the Kannada film industry. He is best known for his roles in the film Kantara and Kirik Party.
Shetty will turn 43 years old in 2026. He was born on 7 July 1983.
Pragathi Shetty is the wife of Rishab Shetty. The couple tied the knot on 9 February 2017 and have two kids.
Shetty’s net worth is estimated to be anywhere between ₹50 crore and ₹80 crore in 2026. However, the famed actor has never officially disclosed his net worth.
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