Rishab Shetty mourns Kantara 2 co-actor Rakesh Poojary’s death

Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty paid tribute to late actor Rakesh Poojary on Tuesday. Rakesh, 33, died after suffering a heart attack. He was part of Kantara: Chapter 1. Rishab Shetty, who worked closely with Rakesh in the upcoming film Kantara: Chapter 1, expressed his grief and sorrow through an emotional post. Sharing a tribute on Instagram, Rishab wrote, “You were not just a part of our lives, but you left a deep impact on our hearts. Your smile, words, and presence always brought joy to those around you. Even though you are not physically with us anymore, your memories will live on forever in our hearts... we will miss you dearly. With heartfelt condolences, we pray for strength and comfort for your family and loved ones.”Rakesh Poojary had gained popularity after winning Season 3 of the reality show 'Comedy Khiladigalu' in 2020, following a runner-up finish in Season 2. Before his television fame, he was active in theatre with the Chaitanya Kalavidaru group and appeared in several Kannada and Tulu films such as 'Pailwaan', 'Idu Entha Lokavayya', 'Petkammi', and 'Ammer Police'. The upcoming film 'Kantara: Chapter' 1 is a sequel to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara, directed by Rishab Shetty. The movie is set to release on October 2, 2025, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.