'Kantara' Mimicry Controversy: Karnataka High Court Tells Ranveer Singh not to be "loose-tongued"

The Karnataka high court has passed an interim order directing the Bengaluru police not to take any coercive steps against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in the FIR registered over his mimicry of a character from the Kannada film ‘Kantara: Chapter 1'.

A single judge bench of the High Court told Singh that he being a superstar was not ‘ooper' (above) law. "You have no right to hurt people's sentiments. Being an actor, you influence people. Being a superstar, you must be responsible in making statements. You cannot be loose-tongued at all," Justice M Nagaprasanna said orally.

The issue dates back to November 2025 when during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, Ranveer Singh who was on stage praising the Kannada film Kantara and its creator-actor Rishab Shetty, mimicked a Daiva ritual performance shown in the film.

During the act, Singh allegedly referred to the sacred deity figure as a “female ghost.” This portrayal triggered strong backlash, especially in coastal Karnataka, where the ritual is considered deeply sacred. The Daiva (spirit deity) portrayed in Kantara represents a real ritual tradition of the Tulu community and the mimicry is said to have trivialised a sacred performance, as the wording used was disrespectful.

An FIR was filed in Bengaluru alleging insult to religious beliefs. The complaint has invoked provisions relating to hurting religious sentiments under criminal law. Singh approached the Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of the case.

Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for Ranveer, submitted before the high court on Tuesday that the petitioner had made a completely insensitive, reckless statement and tendered an apology immediately for mimicking Chamundi Daiva. "I may forget, you may forget, and people may forget. The internet never forgets," Justice Nagaprasanna responded to Poovayya's submission.

Singh has claimed that the entire complaint had failed to disclose the commission of any offence at his instance. He contended that the Jan 23, 2026 order of the magistrate court directing the registration of FIR also suffered from non-application of mind. He further argued that police had registered the FIR without a proper inquiry. He has further submitted that he already tendered an unconditional apology and that he respects all cultures, traditions, and communities in the country and has no intention of spreading hatred against any community.

Ranveer had earlier shared a note of apology on the issue which read, “My intention was to highlight Rishabh's incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way that he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”