Rishab Rikhiram Sharma transforms ‘Varaha Roopam’ from ‘Kantara’ into hypnotic sitar masterpiece - Watch

Filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty has collaborated with the celebrated sitar player Rishab Rikhiram Sharma to create a unique musical fusion that blends traditional folklore with modern neo-classical style.

Together, they have created the famous ‘Varaha Roopam’ track from ‘Kantara’, produced by Hombale Films, turning it into a captivating sitar-driven composition that offers a fresh, transcendental take on this iconic Indian film music.Sitar-driven reinterpretation of ‘Varaha Roopam’The new version of ‘Varaha Roopam’ takes the popular original, sung by Sai Vignesh and composed by Ajaneesh Loknath, and brings it to life with the peaceful sound of the sitar.

Sharma keeps the traditional ragas like ‘Thodi’, ‘Mukhari’, and ‘Kanakaangi’, while adding a calm and thoughtful feel inspired by LoFi and neo-classical music. Inspired by the old Dhrupad style, Sharma spent a week during his world tour working to perfect the piece.

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma reflects on the collaborationAs reported in News18, Sharma described the collaboration as perfectly timed. He said that being a great fan of ‘Kantara’, this collaboration feels like an act of serendipity.

He was performing in Paris and had just rewatched the film when the invitation to reinterpret ‘Varaha Roopam’ came through, it felt preordained. His vision was to preserve the sacred essence of the original while lending it a modern, meditative resonance through the sitar.

He views this composition as an ode to the interplay between nature, tradition, and the human spirit.‘Kantara Chapter 1’s success and cultural impactFollowing the tremendous success of ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, the prequel to the 2022 hit, the new release continues the momentum. Starring Rishab Shetty, Rukmini Vasanth, and Gulshan Devaiah, the film has reportedly grossed over ₹750 crore worldwide within just 20 days. Acclaimed for its authentic representation of Bhoota Kola, Daivaradhane, and Kambala customs, the series has set a new benchmark for blending traditional folklore with modern storytelling.