Rishab Shetty under fire after AICWA seeks probe into junior artiste’s drowning on 'Kantara: Chapter 1' set; demands Rs 1 crore compensation

Tragedy struck the sets of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' on May 6, when junior artiste MF Kapil, aged 33, drowned while swimming in the Souparnika River near Kollur, Karnataka. Hailing from Marosarithra in Kerala, Kapil had reportedly entered the river during a break when the incident occurred. While the film’s production team has termed the death accidental, an FIR has been registered, and the Kollur Police have launched an investigation. However, questions are now being raised about the exact circumstances of his demise.AICWA accuses production house of negligenceOn Thursday, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) released a statement expressing deep concerns and demanding an FIR be filed against actor-director Rishab Shetty and the production house responsible. The association alleged that fatalities on film sets are frequently underreported or misrepresented. AICWA cited previous incidents, including technician deaths on the sets of Indian 2 and Sardar 2, as well as the bus accident that injured 20 junior artistes last November, to highlight a troubling trend of negligence.Industry body questions drowning claimThe AICWA statement pointedly questioned the claim that Kapil’s death was caused by accidental drowning, calling for a thorough and impartial probe. “The real causes behind such tragedies are often hidden, and those who attempt to speak out face intimidation,” the statement said. The association emphasized that safety on film sets is often compromised, and accountability remains elusive.Association seeks Rs 1 crore compensation and high-level probeIn addition to demanding legal action, AICWA has urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to initiate a high-level, unbiased inquiry into the incident. The association also called for a compensation of Rs 1 crore to be provided to Kapil’s family, stating that production houses must take full responsibility when lives are lost during filming. The tragic episode has reignited debate about safety protocols and transparency in the Indian film industry.