Ranveer Singh has found himself at the centre of a heated controversy after a stage moment at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 unexpectedly sparked public outrage. What was intended as a playful tribute to Rishab Shetty’s intense Daiva performance from Kantara ended up being perceived as culturally insensitive, prompting the actor to issue a public apology.
During the closing ceremony in Goa, Ranveer took the mic to praise Rishab Shetty’s power-packed portrayal in Kantara: Chapter 1. As part of his appreciation, he recreated the film’s climactic Daiva trance sequence - an act that is deeply spiritual in coastal Karnataka’s tradition. While the moment drew laughter in the hall, the reaction outside was vastly different.
A clip from the event quickly circulated online, showing Ranveer referring to the sacred Daivas as “ghosts,” a description many viewers found disrespectful. The Daiva figures in the film and in real-life Bhoota Kola tradition are revered as forest protectors and ancestral spirits, not supernatural apparitions. For several cultural groups, that error crossed a sensitive line.
Facing mounting criticism, Ranveer addressed the matter on Instagram the following morning. In his note, he clarified that his intention had never been to offend.In his words, interpreted from his statement: He said he only meant to celebrate Rishab Shetty’s remarkable performance and understood how much craft and commitment the role demanded. He added that he holds deep respect for every culture and tradition in India, and apologised sincerely to anyone whose feelings were hurt.
Despite the apology, the situation intensified when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed an official complaint with the Panaji police. According to their memorandum, describing Chamundi Daiva in a derogatory manner was unacceptable and needed legal action. The group argued that the act insulted a revered deity of the Tulu community and demanded both accountability and preventive measures for future public events.
Along with legal requests, the organisation urged festival organisers to establish clear guidelines so that religious symbols and spiritual traditions are treated with dignity on public platforms.
Interestingly, clips from the event also show Rishab Shetty himself laughing during Ranveer’s mimicry though another video suggested he had cautioned the actor earlier against reenacting the scene. While fans remain divided over the intent versus the impact, the incident has undeniably overshadowed Ranveer’s upcoming release.
Ranveer Singh is gearing up for the premiere of Dhurandhar, an espionage thriller directed by Aditya Dhar. The film casts Ranveer as an undercover Indian spy navigating dangerous criminal networks in Pakistan’s Lyari Town. The ensemble includes Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Sara Arjun.
Yet, in the days leading up to its release, the spotlight has shifted sharply from the movie to the debate surrounding cultural sensitivity, performance boundaries, and the responsibility of public figures on national platforms.