IPL 2025: KL Rahul does a Kantara tribute celebration after Delhi Capitals’ win at his ‘home ground’ Bengaluru

When Delhi Capitals’ wicket keeper-batsman KL Rahul thumped his chest, pointed to the ground and then drew a circle with his bat, during the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10, 2025, not many realized the significance of what he was doing, until he mentioned it in a post-match. Speaking after the match, Rahul had said, “This is a special place from me. This celebration was from one of my favourite movies, Kantara. So, a tiny reminder that this ground, this turf, this place where I grew up, is mine."

Kantara ft KL Rahul

Initially, it was thought that Rahul’s gestures were a reference to the fact that he’s a Bengaluru boy, a former RCB player, and, most importantly, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, being home ground. But once he mentioned Kantara, netizens were quick to put together short videos of Rahul’s celebratory moves and Divine Star Rishab Shetty’s movements in the climax of Kantara, when his character Shiva is possessed by the spirit of the Guliga Daiva and exacts vengeance on those who wronged his people.

Social media was soon flooded with these videos, as netizens commented, “Kantara ft KL Rahul”, “Probably the best clip of this IPL. Pure goosebumps. KL Rahul channeling Kantara energy!”, “KL Kantara”, among many others. Chasing 164 for the win, Delhi Capitals won by 6 wickets, with Rahul contributing a whopping 93 runs to his team’s total.

Meanwhile, the prequel to the 2022 superhit Kantara, Kantara: Chapter 1 is currently in production, with Hombale Films vehemently denying any delays in the film’s impending October 2, 2025 release. But for an initial first-look teaser, during which there was speculation that Rishab Shetty would be playing Panjurli Daiva and later reports that the film would be set during the reign of Kadambas of Banavasi.

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The film is being shot in closed sets in Rishab’s hometown, with the team guarding every aspect fiercely to avoid leaks before the release. Rishab had, however, stated that he trained in horse-riding and kalarippayattu in preparation for the role.