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An FIR has been registered against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in Bengaluru for allegedly mimicking the Daiva ritual sequence from Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 – A Legend during an event at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
The formal complaint was filed on Wednesday at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru following a court directive. The alleged incident dates back to November 28, 2025, when Ranveer was attending an IFFI event and performed a stage act that has now drawn legal scrutiny.
The complaint was lodged by Bengaluru-based advocate Prashanth Methal, who accused the actor of making remarks and gestures that allegedly disparaged the Chavundi Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka and hurt Hindu religious
sentiments.
Ranveer Singh has been booked under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Allegations Linked To Kantara Daiva Representation
According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that Ranveer engaged in a mocking stage performance that portrayed sacred Daiva traditions in a “crass, humorous, and disparaging” manner. The complaint specifically refers to Ranveer allegedly mimicking the expressions associated with Panjurli and Guliga Daiva during the act.
The advocate further alleged that Ranveer referred to the Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost”, a remark that the complainant claims distorted the spiritual and cultural significance of the deity.
The complaint states that Chavundi Daiva is a revered guardian deity worshipped in Karnataka’s coastal districts and represents divine feminine energy. The advocate argued that characterising the deity as a ghost amounted to a serious misrepresentation that deeply offended religious sentiments.
The FIR further claimed that the alleged act trivialised a sacred ritual practice that holds deep cultural and spiritual value for devotees.
Court Proceedings And Next Hearing
The case is now being handled by the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Bengaluru. The next hearing has been scheduled for April 8.
Court records indicate that the advocate had earlier filed a private complaint on December 27 last year before the Additional Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru. Following this, on January 23, the court directed the High Grounds Police Station to register a formal FIR under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The controversy had earlier sparked public debate after visuals from the IFFI event resurfaced online, prompting discussions around cultural sensitivity and artistic expression. Filmmaker and Kantara star Rishab Shetty had also previously addressed the issue, urging respect for indigenous traditions.
Ranveer Singh has not yet issued an official statement regarding the FIR.
