Dhurandhar star Ranveer Singh booked for mocking Kantara — ‘Serious insult to Hindu religious beliefs'
Dhurandhar star Ranveer Singh booked for mocking and insulting the Daiva tradition, causing ‘serious insult to Hindu religious beliefs’. Bengaluru police have registered an FIR against the actor. Singh had earlier apologised for hurting sentiments.
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, who mimicked Kannada actor Rishab Shetty's scene from Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1, has been booked for “insulting and mocking the sacred Daiva tradition”. Police in Bengaluru have registered an FIR against the actor, days after he issued an apology for his mimicry.
Case filed against Ranveer Singh for mocking Daiva tradition
An FIR has been registered against the Dhurandhar star in Karnataka's Bengaluru under sections 196, 299, 302 of BNS.
According to ANI, the complaint alleges: “On 28/11/2025, during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa, the accused Ranveer Singh, while present on stage and in the presence of the hero of the movie Kantara: Chapter 1, allegedly performed acts that insulted and mocked the sacred Daiva tradition...Referring to the deity as a ghost is described as blasphemous and a serious insult to Hindu religious beliefs and practices...He submits that the act of the accused was deliberate, intentional and malicious, intended to outrage religious feelings, not only his, even millions of Hindu devotees, promoting enmity, hatred and disharmony between different groups based on religion in society, and insult his religious beliefs towards Chavundi Daiva, thereby promoting disrespect towards a sacred tradition and disturbing communal harmony.”
Ranveer Singh reacts after criticism over Kantara row
Singh had earlier apologised for hurting people's sentiments.
After facing backlash on the internet, he said in a statement, "My intention was to highlight Rishab's incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way that he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”
Why was Ranveer Singh booked?
The controversy erupted at the International Film Festival of India in Goa. Singh, upon spotting Shetty in the audience, expressed his admiration for Kantara.
Talking about Shetty's performance in Kantara Chapter 1, Singh called Guliga Daiva’s sister Chavudi a “female ghost”. He said, "I saw that in the theatres, Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost gets inside your body, that one shot."
He also did an impression of the same. With a cross-eyed, tongue-outstretched expression, he did a version of his ‘primordial scream’ in front of the actor-director.
Singh also jokingly pointed at Shetty and said, “Anybody here want to see me in Kantara 3? Tell this guy.”
Watch video:
While his mimicry left Shetty in splits, netizens were not happy about it. The video instantly went viral on social media, earning mixed reactions ahead of Dhurandhar's release.