Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor, director, and writer well-known in the Kannada film industry. As of today, 8 October 2025, he stands as one of the most successful filmmakers from Karnataka. He became famous for making unique movies that connect with the audience. Let us look at his journey in simple English.
Early Life
Rishab Shetty was born on 7 July 1983. His village name is Keradi, close to Kundapura in the Udupi district of Karnataka. His real name is Prashanth Shetty. He later used the name Rishab Shetty in films. Rishab comes from a middle-class family. His father worked as an astrologer and his mother was a homemaker. He spent his early days studying in Kundapura. In childhood, he liked performing local theatre art called Yakshagana. He took part in many school and local plays. This gave him confidence and interest to try acting seriously.
After school, Rishab went to Vijaya College in Bengaluru to study commerce. He also joined the drama club there. He won a best actor prize in a national-level theatre competition for the play “Ghashiram Kotwal.” He was inspired to make acting his career. After college, he took a diploma course in filmmaking at the Government Film and Television Institute of Bengaluru. Life was not very easy for him at first. Rishab did odd jobs to earn money, like selling mineral water and working in hotels. Still, he did not give up on his dream.
Rishab Shetty Age, Height, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Children, Family
Career
Rishab wanted to work in the Kannada film industry. First, he took a job as a clap boy. He later became an assistant director for the movie “Cyanide” in 2006. At this time, he learned a lot about how movies are made. He also met his friend Rakshit Shetty, who would later work with him on different projects.
Rishab finally got a chance to act in the movie “Tuglak” in 2012. He acted as a villain. After this, he played small roles in movies like “Attahasa,” “Lucia,” and “Ulidavaru Kandanthe.” His work slowly got noticed by the audience.
Big Success
Rishab’s big success started when he became a director. In 2016, he directed his first film “Ricky.” The same year, he directed “Kirik Party.” This film became a big hit and was loved by young people. It won many awards like Best Director at the Filmfare Awards South and SIIMA Awards.
In 2018, he directed and acted in “Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai.” This film won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film and the Karnataka State Award for Best Family Entertainer.
From 2019, Rishab started acting as a lead hero. In the film “Bell Bottom,” he played a detective, and the movie was successful. His next famous role was as a gangster in “Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana” in 2021. The movie brought him lots of praise from critics and viewers.
National Fame
In 2022, Rishab wrote, directed, and acted in “Kantara.” The film became a huge blockbuster and made him famous all over India. It talked about local traditions and nature. Many people liked how Rishab showed village stories and emotions so honestly. “Kantara” became one of the highest-grossing Kannada movies ever. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for this film. At the International Film Festival of India in 2023, he also got the Special Jury Award.
After the big success of “Kantara,” Rishab made “Kantara: Chapter 1.” The movie released in 2025 and broke all records. Within six days, it earned nearly Rs 290 crores and crossed the lifetime collection of Rajinikanth’s film “Coolie.” It is now the third biggest film of this year.
Personal Life
Rishab is married to Pragathi Shetty. She works as a software engineer and sometimes designs costumes for movies. They have two children — a son and a daughter. The family recently moved back from Bengaluru city to live again in their native village, Kundapura. Rishab says he loves his village and wants his children to know their roots.
Achievements
Below are some highlights of his awards:
- - Best Director for “Kirik Party” – Filmfare South and SIIMA
- - National Film Award for Best Children’s Film for “Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shale...”
- - National Film Award (2023) for Best Actor in “Kantara”
- - IFFI Special Jury Award in 2023 for “Kantara”
- - Multiple Karnataka State and SIIMA award nominations and wins over the years.
Inspiring Journey
Rishab Shetty’s story is one of hard work and patience. From a small village boy acting in local plays to a director of record-breaking Indian movies, his journey inspires many. He tried many small jobs but never forgot his real goal. Today, he is one of the most respected artists in Indian cinema, known for creating unique stories and bringing fame to Kannada films. Rishab Shetty proves that dreams can come true with talent, dedication, and honesty. His life story brings hope to all new artists in India.