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Rishab Shetty Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 1, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth7 July 1983

Age40 Years

BirthplaceKeradi village, Kundapura, Udupi, Karnataka

ProfessionActor, Director, Writer, Producer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpousePragathi Shetty

FamilySon - Ranvit Shetty; Daughter - Raadya Shetty; Father - Y Bhaskar Shetty; Mother - Lakshmi Shetty; Sister - Pratibha Hegde

Rishab Shetty Biography

Rishab Shetty is an Indian actor, director, writer and producer from coastal Karnataka. Best known for writing, directing and starring in the 2022 Kannada‑

Early life and background
Rishab Shetty was born Prashant Shetty on 7 July 1983 in Keradi village, Kundapura taluk in Udupi district, Karnataka. Raised in a coastal Karnataka setting, he completed his schooling in Kundapur and went on to study at institutions in Bengaluru and Kundapura, including Vijaya College in Jayanagar and Bhandarkars’ Arts & Science College. He also holds a diploma in film direction from the Government Film & Television Institute in Bengaluru and an MBA in Human Resources from Vijaya College.

Career
Shetty began his film career working behind the camera as an assistant director, including on the 2006 Kannada film Cyanide. He later moved into acting and made his Kannada film acting debut with Tuglak (2012). Over the next several years he took on supporting and character roles in films such as Attahasa (2013), Ricky (2016) and Avane Srimannarayana (2019), and graduated to lead roles with Bell Bottom (2019). In 2021 he played the lead character Hari in Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana.

Directing and writing became central to his career after he made his directorial debut in 2016. He wrote and directed the campus comedy Kirik Party (2016) and followed it with the socio‑political comedy Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale, Kaasaragodu, Koduge: Raamanna Rai (2018). In 2022 he wrote, directed and starred in Kantara, the film for which he is widely recognised; he also portrayed the character Shiva in that film.

Shetty has expanded into production as well. He started his own production banner, Rishab Shetty Films, in 2016 and has produced or co‑produced projects including Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale, Katha Sangama (as creative head and producer), Hero (co‑writer and producer), Pedro (2021) and Shivamma (2022). His credits span acting, directing, writing and producing across Kannada cinema, and he also appeared in a Telugu film, Mishan Impossible (2022), in a supporting role.

Awards and recognition
Shetty’s work has been recognised with multiple state, national and industry awards. He won directing honours and family entertainment awards for Kirik Party at both the Karnataka State Film Awards and Filmfare South/SIIMA in 2016–2017. Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale received state awards and a National Film Award recognition as a children’s film in 2019, and the film also earned festival and popular entertainment accolades. Kantara brought further honours: it was included among films eligible for Oscar consideration by the Academy and earned Shetty acting and critics’ awards at SIIMA; he was also awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor for Kantara in 2024. In 2022 he received a prize recognising contributions to new wave cinema at the OTTplay Awards & Conclave.

Public profile
Shetty is married to Pragathi Shetty; the couple married on 9 February 2017 and have two children, a son Ranvit and a daughter Raadya. His parents are Y. Bhaskar Shetty, an astrologer, and Lakshmi Shetty; he has a sister, Pratibha Hegde. He is known to follow Hindu traditions and has spoken about researching local rituals and folklore closely when making films rooted in coastal Karnataka culture. Personal details noted in public sources include his reported height of about 178 cm (5 ft 10 in), black hair and eyes, and preferences such as favourite actors and films.

Public incidents and responses
Kantara generated debate because of its depiction of local folk deities and rituals. In response to criticism, Shetty explained that he spent time researching regional beliefs and consulted practitioners to ensure respectful representation. He has described taking spiritual and preparatory measures during the making of the film, including brief dietary changes and seeking blessings from regional custodians of ritual traditions.

Latest updates
Kantara’s broad reception brought Shetty national and international attention: the film was listed among titles eligible for Academy Awards consideration in early 2023, and he continued to be honoured for his performance and direction through 2023 and into 2024. He remains active across multiple roles in Kannada cinema as an actor, director, writer and producer.
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Recent Work

Kantara

Kannada film written, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty; featured him as Shiva and drew national recognition and awards.

2022
Mishan Impossible

Telugu film in which he appeared as the character Khaleel.

2022
Shivamma

Produced by Rishab Shetty; released in 2022.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Made acting debut in Tuglak (2012) and lead debut in Bell Bottom (2019)
  2. Directed and wrote Kirik Party (2016) and Sarkaari Hiriya Praathamika Shaale (2018)
  3. Wrote, directed and starred in Kantara (2022), which gained national recognition
  4. Won National Film Award for Best Actor for Kantara (2024)
  5. Founded Rishab Shetty Films (2016) and produced multiple films
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Rishab Shetty born?

7 July 1983

What is Rishab Shetty known for?

Actor, Director, Writer, Producer

What is Rishab Shetty’s marital status?

Married

Who is Rishab Shetty married to?

Pragathi Shetty