Mumbai, Dec 2: Actor Ranveer Singh has issued a public apology after facing widespread criticism for mimicking the Daiva ritual sequence from Kantara Chapter 1 during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025.

Ranveer attempted to recreate the iconic scene where actor-director Rishab Shetty is shown possessed by the Chamundi Daiva. However, the act drew sharp backlash from several quarters, with many accusing him of hurting religious sentiments.

The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) lodged an official complaint against Singh, demanding action for what they termed as a disrespectful portrayal of sacred traditions.


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In response, the Dhurandhar actor issued a heartfelt apology, clarifying that his intention was never to offend but to honour Rishab Shetty’s exceptional performance. “All I wanted to do was to show my appreciation as an actor,” Ranveer said.

The controversy has sparked debate over the boundaries of artistic expression and cultural sensitivity, especially when religious rituals are involved.

The controversy first began with Ranveer Singh’s comments at the closing ceremony of IFFI 2025 in Goa on Friday, where the actor—renowned for his spontaneity and humour—attempted to imitate a dramatic sequence from the acclaimed Kannada film Kantara.

The recreated scene depicted a character undergoing a divine or spiritual possession, which sparked mixed reactions among audiences.

While the audience present, along with the cast of Kantara including actor Rishab Shetty, appeared to take the act lightly, the video’s arrival on social media sparked intense reactions and debate.