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Kantara controversy: Bengaluru advocate files complaint against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh for ‘illegal and offensive actions’

The Bengaluru advocate said Ranveer Singh verbally referred to the sacred Daiva as a “ghost’ or “female ghost," aggravating the offence.

2 min readBengaluruDec 4, 2025 10:13 AM IST

A video of the incident has been circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage among the Tulu-speaking community and devotees of the Daiva tradition. (Photo: Screengrab from Video over X/@nilesh_isme)

An advocate Wednesday filed a complaint against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh for allegedly “hurting religious sentiments” after he mimicked the Daiva tradition from Rishab Shetty’s film Kantara Chapter 1.

The High Grounds police said they acknowledged the complaint lodged by Advocate Prashanth Methal Wednesday.

“I am filing this complaint to bring to your immediate attention the illegal and offensive actions of Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, which have deeply hurt my religious sentiments and the sentiments of millions of Hindus, particularly the Tulu-speaking community of Karnataka,” Metal stated in his complaint.

He said that during the November 28 closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Singh openly mocked the sacred “Daiva” (Bhoota Kola) tradition depicted in Kantara. He further alleged that Singh verbally referred to the sacred Daiva as a “ghost’ or “female ghost,” aggravating the offence.

A police officer said they have received the complaint but have sought information from the legal team. “No FIR has been registered. We will see whether a FIR needs to be filed or not,” the officer said.

A video of the incident has been circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage among the Tulu-speaking community and devotees of the Daiva tradition.

What happens when we miss our research?
Ranveer Singh calls Devi as Ghost, sparks outrage#RanveerSingh #IFFIGoa #IFFI2025 #kantara pic.twitter.com/V8SEFAJ4cA

— Nilesh shukla (@Nilesh_isme) November 30, 2025

Following the backlash, Ranveer Singh issued an apology stating that he respects every “culture, tradition, and belief” in the country.

“My intention was to highlight Rishab’s incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it takes to perform that particular scene the way he did, for which he has my utmost admiration,” he said in a post on Instagram.

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“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 added.

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