In an interview with Metro Saga, Shetty criticized Bollywood for frequently portraying India negatively at international film festivals, stating that such depictions harm the country's image. He emphasized his pride in representing India positively through his work.

Shetty is now preparing for his next big project, Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the original Kantara, which explores the lore of the Panchurli Deiva during the Kadamba era. The film, starring Shetty and Jisshu Sengupta, is expected to release in early 2025, with the fourth shooting schedule beginning in late August.

In a separate interview, Shetty discussed the challenges faced by Kannada films on OTT platforms, noting that many struggle for exposure and are often released directly on YouTube or through film festivals. Despite these hurdles, he expressed pride in how Kantara has elevated Kannada cinema on the national stage.