Ranveer Singh moves Karnataka HC over Kantara mimicry FIR
Ranveer Singh moves Karnataka HC over Kantara mimicry FIR
Bollywood star Ranveer Singh petitions Karnataka High Court to quash an FIR over a Kantara-inspired on-stage mimicry, saying it was a tribute, not an insult.
Bollywood star Ranveer Singh has moved the High Court of Karnataka to quash a criminal case filed against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by mimicking a deity from Kantara Chapter 1. The FIR was registered by Bengaluru City Police on the direction of a metropolitan magistrate court. Singh’s petition, listed for hearing on February 24, argues that his on-stage act was a sincere tribute to countryman Rishab Shetty’s performance, not an insult. Police notices and the ensuing legal process have caused him stress, according to the petition.
The controversy stems from Singh’s appearance during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of Goa (IFFI)-2025 on November 28, 2025, where he imitated the climactic sequence from Kantara and referred to the revered daiva Chavundi of coastal Karnataka as a “female ghost.” He later apologized on December 1, 2025 via Instagram, clarifying that his intention was to celebrate the film and its performance, not hurt anyone’s sentiments.
The complainant, city-based advocate Prashanth Metha, had approached the magistrate after the Bengaluru police did not act on his initial complaint. The case was subsequently registered, prompting Singh to approach the Karnataka High Court to quash the proceedings. Meanwhile, a January 23 order by an ACJM Bengaluru directed police to investigate the private complaint, a step Singh’s legal team contends was unnecessary given the alleged intent.
Supporters of Singh emphasize freedom of expression in cinema and performance, while critics caution against actions that may be read as blasphemous or inflammatory. The High Court’s forthcoming hearing will weigh the balance between artistic liberty and religious sensitivities in a case that has drawn attention to the line between homage and offense. The outcome could have implications for similar cases involving public figures and on-stage tributes to religious symbols.
As the legal proceedings unfold, fans and industry watchers are watching closely to see how the judiciary interprets intent, context, and public reaction in high-profile entertainment cases.
