A recent appearance by Bollywood star Ranveer Singh at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has landed him in legal hot water. Singh’s act of mimicking a sacred ritualistic performance, inspired by Rishab Shetty’s role as Chavundi Daiva in the film ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, has been met with a formal complaint.
The complaint, filed by Bengaluru advocate Prashanth Metal, accuses Singh of committing an “illegal and offensive” act by impersonating the Ullalthi Daiva. This performance, which took place on November 28, is alleged to have deeply offended religious sentiments, particularly among the Tulu-speaking community of Karnataka, who hold Daiva worship in high regard. The police have registered the complaint under sections of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Further allegations suggest that Singh made derogatory remarks concerning the Ullalthi Daiva during his speech at the IFFI closing ceremony. In response to the ensuing backlash, Singh had previously issued an apology. He stated that his aim was to acknowledge Shetty’s masterful performance and that he holds immense respect for all cultural and religious traditions. He expressed sincere regret if his actions had inadvertently caused offense.