Ranveer Singh Faces Police Complaint Over Kantara Daiva Scene Mimicry at IFFI

Bengaluru | December 3, 2025 Bollywood star Ranveer Singh has found himself at the center of controversy after a complaint was filed against him in Bengaluru for mimicking a scene from Rishab Shetty's film Kantara Chapter 1. The complaint, lodged at the High Grounds Police Station by advocate Prashanth Metal, alleges that Ranveer’s performance during his stage address at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 28 hurt religious sentiments. During the event, Ranveer Singh praised Kantara Chapter 1 and its lead actor-director Rishab Shetty, but while recreating the Ullalthi Daiva scene on stage, he reportedly described the Daiva as a demon and a female ghost. The complainant argued that such remarks were offensive to millions of Hindus, particularly the Tulu-speaking community in Karnataka, and constituted disrespect toward a culturally significant deity. The complaint has been filed under Sections 299, 302, and 196 of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The incident occurred when Ranveer, in a moment of excitement, stepped off the stage to greet dignitaries, including Rajinikanth and Rishab Shetty. Witnesses said he began mimicking the iconic scene, prompting Rishab Shetty to ask him politely to stop. Despite this, a video of Ranveer performing the sequence went viral, sparking criticism and trolling on social media. In response to the backlash, Ranveer Singh issued an apology on his Instagram Story, clarifying his intentions. He stated that his aim was to highlight Rishab Shetty’s outstanding performance and that he holds deep respect for every culture, tradition, and belief in India. He added that if anyone’s sentiments were hurt, he sincerely apologizes. The complaint emphasizes that Ranveer’s actions were “illegal and offensive” and called for legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh’s next film, is set to release on Friday. The controversy has added a layer of tension and curiosity around the actor’s public engagements in the days leading up to the release. As of now, Rishab Shetty has not publicly commented on the complaint or Ranveer Singh’s mimicry. Legal and cultural discussions around celebrity conduct, freedom of expression, and respect for local traditions are expected to follow in the coming days. This incident highlights the sensitivity around cultural representation and the responsibilities of public figures in India’s diverse society. Authorities are currently reviewing the complaint, and it remains to be seen what action, if any, will be taken against the actor. The case has attracted attention from both the film industry and social media, reflecting the growing scrutiny of celebrities’ actions beyond their professional work. Ranveer Singh Faces Police Complaint Over Kantara Daiva Scene Mimicry at IFFI Bollywood star Ranveer Singh is in the middle of a controversy after a complaint was filed against him in Bengaluru for mimicking a scene from Rishab Shetty’s film Kantara Chapter 1. The complaint, lodged at the High Grounds Police Station by advocate Prashanth Metal, says that Ranveer hurt religious sentiments of Hindus, especially the Tulu-speaking community, during his stage address at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 28. During the event, Ranveer praised the film and Rishab Shetty’s performance but reenacted the Ullalthi Daiva scene on stage. While doing so, he allegedly described the Daiva as a demon and a female ghost, which the complainant found offensive. Ranveer’s mimicry happened when he stepped off the stage to greet guests, including Rajinikanth and Rishab Shetty. Though Rishab Shetty politely asked him to stop, a video of the act went viral on social media, sparking criticism and trolling. Ranveer responded with an apology on Instagram, saying his intention was only to highlight Rishab Shetty’s outstanding performance. He added that he deeply respects all cultures, traditions, and beliefs in India, and apologized if anyone’s sentiments were hurt. The complaint has been filed under Sections 299, 302, and 196 of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, citing Ranveer’s actions as illegal and offensive. Meanwhile, his upcoming film Dhurandhar is set to release this Friday. Rishab Shetty has not publicly commented on the matter yet. This incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of celebrities when representing cultural or religious symbols, and how public actions are perceived in India’s diverse society. The authorities are reviewing the complaint, and it remains to be seen what steps will be taken.