Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has urged the Karnataka government to place greater emphasis on preserving and promoting the rich folk arts, music and cultural heritage of the state’s coastal region.
Speaking at a high-level meeting on coastal tourism chaired by Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha, Rishab Shetty said coastal Karnataka possesses a unique cultural identity that deserves global recognition and stronger institutional support.
He stressed the need to encourage local art forms, traditional music and cultural festivals, saying they play a crucial role in preserving the region’s heritage while also boosting tourism.
The actor also highlighted the immense potential of coastal Karnataka as a film shooting destination. He suggested that the government improve infrastructure and provide better facilities for film productions in the region, which would benefit the film industries of Karnataka, Goa and Kerala.
According to Rishab Shetty, enhanced filming facilities and streamlined permissions would attract more productions to the coastal belt, generating employment and giving a boost to local businesses and tourism.
The meeting focused on strategies to develop coastal tourism, attract investments and promote Karnataka’s coastline as a major domestic and international tourist destination. Industry representatives also pitched for the promotion of heli-tourism and world-class tourism infrastructure across the coastal districts.
