Gulshan Devaiah’s Kantara: Chapter 1 Horse Training Was His Toughest Prep Yet

Bollywood's versatile actor Gulshan Devaiah is riding high on Kantara: Chapter 1's success, but portraying tyrannical King Kulashekara came with unexpected challenges. In an exclusive Pinkvilla interview, Gulshan revealed horseback…

By Reetam Bodhak

December 23, 2025

3 min read

Bollywood’s versatile actor Gulshan Devaiah is riding high on Kantara: Chapter 1’s success, but portraying tyrannical King Kulashekara came with unexpected challenges. In an exclusive Pinkvilla interview, Gulshan revealed horseback riding proved his most demanding preparation, while sharing warm thoughts about Samantha Ruth Prabhu.

Gulshan’s 2025 Career Highlights

Project	Role	Platform	Status
Kantara: Chapter 1	King Kulashekara	Theatrical	Released
Perfect Family	Lead	Streaming	Released
Legacy	Inspector	Netflix	Upcoming
Maa Inti Bangaram	Supporting	Telugu	Filming

Source: Hombale Films Official

The Horse Riding Challenge

“The only challenge was to ride the horse,” Gulshan admitted. “I did 5 classes, 2 hrs a day & only focused on what I exactly do with the horse.”

He trained with Azaad, the same horse used during filming. “Azaad was a real cutie,” he shared, acknowledging the difficulty of “controlling a horse in a chaotic environment” during intense battle sequences.

This reflects the film’s authenticity—Rishab Shetty underwent two years of Kalaripayattu training. Check our Kannada film coverage.

Working With Rishab Shetty

Gulshan expressed admiration for Shetty’s multitasking as actor-writer-director. “I was very curious about how he handled the pressure of the prequel being as good as or better,” he revealed. The ₹850+ crore global success validates Shetty’s vision for expanding Kantara’s universe.

The Samantha Connection

About working with Samantha Ruth Prabhu on Telugu film Maa Inti Bangaram, Gulshan’s response was warm: “I have great chemistry with Sam,” affectionately calling her “sweetie.” He noted differences between “actor Samantha” and “producer Samantha,” highlighting her expanded industry role.

Explore our South Indian cinema partnerships.

Legacy vs Dahaad: Playing Different Cops

Gulshan’s Netflix series Legacy sees him return to police roles, but he distinguishes it from Dahaad: “A cop is a job & not a personality type. Timeline, age, cultural background, education, outlook… everything is different.” This nuanced approach demonstrates why he’s one of India’s most respected character actors.

Staying Grounded Amid Success

Despite Kantara’s massive success, Gulshan maintains perspective: “It’s empowering in terms of career and remuneration, but I’m careful not to take it too seriously. It can mess with the head.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What role does Gulshan Devaiah play in Kantara: Chapter 1?

Gulshan portrays King Kulashekara, the tyrannical antagonist during the Kadamba dynasty in pre-colonial Karnataka. His character represents oppressive forces threatening forest tribes and their sacred traditions. Unlike brief cameos, Gulshan’s substantial role drives the central conflict against Rishab Shetty’s protagonist Berme, requiring horseback riding skills and commanding presence befitting a power-hungry monarch.

How did Gulshan Devaiah prepare for horseback riding in Kantara: Chapter 1?

Gulshan underwent five intensive classes, dedicating two hours daily to master specific actions required for his scenes. He trained exclusively with Azaad, the same horse featured in filming, building familiarity and trust. Rather than general equestrian skills, he focused solely on executing exact movements needed for his royal character, particularly controlling the horse during chaotic battle sequences in challenging forest environments.