Mangaluru: Actor and filmmaker Raj B Shetty has quietly begun work on his next directorial venture, with the untitled Kannada film currently being shot in Mangaluru.
According to sources, more than 30 days of filming have already been completed for the project. The filmmaker has kept details of the film under wraps, with an official announcement expected after the primary schedule is completed.
The upcoming project marks Raj B Shetty’s return to the director’s chair after his last directorial outing, Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye, released in 2023.
Thriller set against coastal Karnataka
The untitled film is reportedly a thriller set against the distinct backdrop of coastal Karnataka.
While the makers have not revealed the storyline, the project is said to remain rooted in the kind of grounded and gritty storytelling that has become associated with Raj B Shetty’s work.
The filmmaker has previously explored unconventional characters, local settings and emotionally intense narratives in his films. His new directorial venture is expected to continue that approach while presenting a thriller against the culturally distinctive landscape of the coastal region.
Mangaluru and the wider coastal Karnataka region have also featured prominently in several contemporary Kannada films, offering filmmakers a setting with a strong local identity and diverse visual possibilities.
Raj spent months developing the script
Raj B Shetty had previously spoken about taking time away from his acting commitments to concentrate on writing a new subject.
Following his breakthrough as a filmmaker with Ondu Motteya Kathe in 2017, Raj went on to direct the acclaimed Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana in 2021. He subsequently directed the sensitive romantic drama Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye in 2023.
Amid his increasingly busy acting schedule, Raj had indicated in conversations with Cinema Express that he wanted to dedicate substantial time to developing his next directorial project.
He is now understood to have spent several months working on and fine-tuning the script before taking it to the shooting stage.
The current schedule in Mangaluru suggests that the project has progressed significantly even though the makers have not made a formal announcement.
From Ondu Motteya Kathe to a new thriller
Raj B Shetty made his directorial debut with Ondu Motteya Kathe in 2017. The film, which he also wrote and acted in, established him as one of the distinctive voices in contemporary Kannada cinema.
He followed it with Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana in 2021, a gangster drama that received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, performances and treatment.
Raj later wrote Toby, the 2023 revenge drama directed by Basil Alchalakkal, while also directing Swathi Mutthina Male Haniye the same year.
His body of work has established a recurring interest in stories that are strongly connected to their settings and characters. The coastal Karnataka backdrop of his new thriller therefore adds another layer of interest to the project.
Busy acting career across industries
Raj has remained equally active as an actor while developing his new directorial venture.
He produced and acted in Su From So, which emerged as a major commercial success. The film further expanded his profile within Kannada cinema and brought him greater attention among audiences.
He has also ventured into Hindi cinema with Bandar and is part of the ensemble cast of 45. In Landlord, he plays a menacing antagonist, while he also features in Ravi Saranga’s thriller Rakkasapuradhol.
More recently, Raj was seen in Gurudatha Ganiga’s Karavali, another project connected to the coastal setting that has featured prominently in his recent work.
His acting commitments have extended beyond Kannada cinema as well.
Expanding into Tamil cinema
Raj B Shetty is also making inroads into Tamil cinema.
He has completed shooting for Pocket Novel, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Thiagarajan Kumararaja. He also has another Tamil project, Seyon, in the pipeline, apart from other acting commitments.
Working across Kannada, Hindi and Tamil projects has kept Raj occupied with a demanding schedule. Despite this, he has managed to return to filmmaking and dedicate considerable time to his own script.
His decision to begin the new directorial venture without a major promotional announcement has added an element of curiosity around the project.
Official announcement expected soon
The makers are reportedly moving ahead with the shoot at a brisk pace. With more than 30 days of filming already completed, the production appears to be well into its shooting schedule.
However, the title, complete cast, technical crew and other production details have not yet been officially revealed.
Once the primary filming is completed, the team is expected to make an official announcement introducing the film and unveiling its title and other details.
For now, the combination of Raj B Shetty returning to direction, a thriller narrative and the distinctive backdrop of coastal Karnataka makes the project one to watch for Kannada cinema audiences.
After establishing himself through films such as Ondu Motteya Kathe and Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, Raj’s latest directorial effort represents another opportunity for the filmmaker to explore a rooted story while continuing to balance an increasingly diverse acting career.