Kantara Mimicry Controversy: Karnataka HC Asks State Not to Take Coercive Steps Against Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh has received interim relief from the Karnataka HC in connection with the Kantara mimicry FIR filed against him in Bengaluru. The matter is now scheduled for its next hearing on March 2.

Kantara Mimicry Controversy: Ranveer Singh moved the Karnataka High Court to quash the FIR registered against him in Bengaluru.

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Kantara Mimicry Controversy: The Karnataka High Court has granted relief to Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in the Kantara mimicry row stemming from an event in Goa. The development comes after Singh approached the High Court seeking to quash an FIR filed against him in Bengaluru over his alleged gestures portraying the Daiva character from Rishab Shetty’s Kantara 2.

Karnataka HC Grants Relief

According to news agency ANI, the Karnataka HC directed the government not to take any coercive action against Singh, subject to the condition that he cooperates with the investigation. The court also directed the government and respondents to file objections and postponed the hearing to March 2.

Kantara Mimicry Controversy

In January 2026, the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru registered an FIR against Singh for allegedly mimicking a Daiva performance from Kantara during the closing ceremony of IFFI 2025 in Goa. He was also accused of referring to the daivas as “ghosts,” which many claimed disrespected Hindu beliefs and the traditional Chavundi Daiva practices native to coastal Karnataka.

The case was filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) after a formal complaint was submitted by Bengaluru-based lawyer Prashanth Methal.

According to the police report, the incident occurred on November 28, 2025, in Goa. The complainant stated that he came across a video of the act on December 2, 2025, through an Instagram page while he was at the Karnataka State Billiards Association.

In his complaint, Methal alleged that Singh’s performance crudely imitated the expressions associated with the Panjurli and Guliga Daiva spirits. He further objected to the actor allegedly describing the revered Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost”.

The petitioner added that for the people of coastal Karnataka, Chavundi Daiva is a deeply venerated protector symbolising divine feminine power. 

Earlier, the actor issued an apology on his Instagram Stories. “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.”

He continued, “I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”