Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has sparked a major controversy after a performance at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, leading to widespread condemnation. The actor, who was at the festival to promote his upcoming film Dhurandhar, became the focal point of a social media storm after he imitated a female daiva from the popular Kannada film Kantara during the event’s closing ceremony.
The incident occurred when Ranveer Singh, while praising the success of Kantara and its director Rishab Shetty, attempted to imitate a scene from the film in which a female daiva is portrayed in a fierce, screaming manner.
Singh performed the act by squinting his eyes, sticking out his tongue, and dramatically gesturing in what many perceived as an offensive and disrespectful manner. While his intentions may have been to highlight the intensity of Shetty’s performance, the execution of the imitation has drawn severe criticism for mocking a sacred cultural and religious figure.
The controversy quickly escalated when Pramod Tuekar and Dilip Shetty, members of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), filed a formal complaint at the Panaji police station. The complaint accuses Ranveer Singh of insulting a Hindu god, specifically the female ghost (referred to in the film Kantara), and disrespecting religious and cultural sentiments. The members have demanded a public apology from the actor for his actions.
“We cannot tolerate such disrespect for our beliefs. Ranveer Singh’s behavior was not just inappropriate; it was outright insulting to the daiva we hold sacred,” said Pramod Tuekar in a statement to the media. The incident has caused widespread outrage, especially in Karnataka, where Kantara is considered a cultural masterpiece.
The video of Ranveer’s imitation quickly went viral on social media, garnering a mixed but largely critical response. Many users expressed shock and dismay, calling his actions “insensitive” and “disrespectful” to the spiritual significance the daiva holds for the region’s people. One user on Twitter remarked, “Ranveer’s reaction to the Kantara scene was really unnecessary and insulting. His behaviour is disrespectful to the beliefs of millions.”
Ranveer Singh, a third-rate actor, has insulted and mocked our Hindu deities. Hindus will NOT forgive this. We are boycotting your upcoming film.#BoycottDhurandhar #BoycottRanveerSingh #RespectHinduGodspic.twitter.com/fC72weJmwJ
— EPL Fantasy (@Grok11Dream) December 1, 2025
Another netizen tweeted, “Today’s actors should be kept away from public promotions. They tend to create controversies that hurt religious sentiments. This was just one more instance of a lack of respect for cultural values.”
https://twitter.com/realbala0001/status/1995705739781009579?s=20
Rishabh Shetty, the director and lead actor of Kantara, also appeared uncomfortable with Ranveer’s actions. In a video shared online, Shetty can be seen asking Ranveer to stop, signalling his discomfort. “Please don’t repeat that,” Shetty is heard saying, indicating that even the film’s creator was not pleased with the imitation.
#BoycottDhurandhar for making fun on #KantaraChapter1 pic.twitter.com/xZdCKEStat
— MCK (@mck_11_11) November 29, 2025
As the controversy continued to build, Ranveer Singh took to Instagram to issue a public apology. In an Instagram Story, Singh stated that his intention had been only to celebrate Rishabh Shetty’s performance and not to disrespect any religious or cultural practices.
हिंदू देवतेचा अपमान केलास.
का? कशासाठी?आत्ता #BoycottDhurandhar मोहीम सुरू.@shetty_rishab I stand with Rishabh. pic.twitter.com/ncNBO6TbAh
— मराठा आर्विका देसाई (@Arvikasai) December 1, 2025
#boycottdhurandhar https://t.co/Dzb9Ay93MQ
— Deepak Bandahalli (@DeepakBand63774) November 29, 2025
“My intention was to highlight Rishabh Shetty’s amazing performance in the film. I know how challenging it was to perform that particular scene the way he did. I admire his acting,” Singh wrote. “I will always respect every culture, tradition, and belief of our country. If I have hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologize.”
