Ranveer Singh booked for mimicry of Rishab Shetty’s Kantara act, allegedly insulting Chavundi Daiva
An FIR has been filed against actor Ranveer Singh in Bengaluru for allegedly insulting Hindu religious sentiments and the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka.
The case has been registered under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint by Bengaluru-based advocate Prashanth Methal, police said.
According to the FIR, the alleged incident occurred during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 28, 2025.
The complainant alleged that Ranveer Singh made derogatory remarks and performed a mocking stage act that demeaned sacred elements of the Daiva tradition.
The complaint stated that the actor imitated expressions associated with Panjurli and Guliga Daiva and described them in a “crude, comical and derogatory” manner.
It further alleged that Ranveer referred to Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost”, which the complainant said amounted to a serious misrepresentation of a revered guardian deity symbolising divine feminine energy in coastal Karnataka.
Calling the deity a ghost deeply hurt religious sentiments, the complainant said in his petition.
A private complaint was filed on December 27 last year before an Additional Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru. On January 23, the court directed the High Grounds police station to register an FIR under Section 175(3) of the BNS.
The matter has now been referred to the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Bengaluru and is scheduled for hearing on April 8.
The controversy arose after Ranveer Singh imitated actor Rishab Shetty’s Daiva performance from the Kantara films during the IFFI closing ceremony, which Shetty also attended.
In a video from the event, Ranveer was heard praising Shetty’s performance before referring to Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost” and recreating the scene on stage, despite Shetty reportedly having asked him not to do so.
The act drew widespread criticism on social media, with many users calling it insensitive and disrespectful to religious traditions.
Following the backlash, Ranveer Singh issued a public apology on social media, saying his intention was to appreciate Rishab Shetty’s performance.
“My intention was to highlight Rishab’s incredible performance in the film. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I’ve hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise,” the actor said.
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