Rukmini Vasanth's Intense Prep for 'Kantara Chapter 1' Warrior Princess Role

'Kantara Chapter 1', the prequel to the 2022 hit 'Kantara', was one of the most-awaited films of 2025, releasing in cinemas on October 2. The film has already crossed the ₹100 crore mark in India across all languages, a testament to its immense popularity.

While the direction and writing of Rishab Shetty have been widely praised, fans have also hailed the performance of actress Rukmini Vasanth, who played the role of Kanakavathi, a character who undergoes a significant transformation in the second half of the film. Vasanth recently spoke about the challenges and excitement of portraying a 4th-century warrior princess on the big screen.

Preparing for the role was a multifaceted process for Vasanth. She explained that it started with developing the right body language, which involved workshops with the film's writers to "crack the princess's essence." This included lessons on how to hold herself, walk, and interact with others in a manner befitting a royal from the 4th century. Vasanth also underwent horse-riding and sword-fighting training to bring an active, physical element to her character.

Beyond the physical aspects, Vasanth also had to delve into the emotional and contextual preparation for her dialogues and the overall arc of her character. This included learning traditional dances from the era depicted in the film. Vasanth expressed that the opportunity to explore all these different skills was a dream come true for an actor.