Karnataka High Court grants Ranveer Singh interim relief in Kantara 2 Daiva mimicry controversy

Karnataka High Court grants Ranveer Singh interim relief in Kantara 2 Daiva mimicry controversy

• Karnataka HC pauses coercive action against Ranveer Singh till 2026
• Ranveer must cooperate with probe over Daiva mimicry controversy
• Court stresses responsibility when referencing sacred traditions

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The Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, restraining coercive action against him in connection with a legal case over a controversial Daiva mimicry act related to the Kantara.

The case stems from an FIR filed after Ranveer’s mimicry of Daiva from Kantara: Chapter 1 actor Rishab Shetty’s expressions at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025.

The complaint alleges that his performance included crude imitation of a sacred Daiva tradition and even referred to a revered deity as a ‘ghost,’ which the complainant argued hurt religious sentiments.

During the hearing, the High Court underscored that, regardless of a person’s public profile, one must exercise responsibility when speaking about religious figures and cultural traditions.

The bench reportedly remarked that someone cannot be ‘loose-tongued,’ especially when referencing sacred symbols that hold deep cultural and spiritual importance.

The Court went on to add, “You may be Ranveer Singh or anybody. You can't be loose tongued at all! We will see if there is mens rea.. But you being an actor, you have influence on so many people. You have to be responsible. If you are speaking about a deity (you have to do your research), you cant call it a ghost. You have no right to hurt anybody's religious sentiments..You have apologised, but will your apology take back all the words? I, you, people may forget. But internet never forgets.”

Ranveer had earlier shared a note of apology on the issue. It 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.”

As part of the interim order, the court directed the police not to take coercive action against Ranveer until March 2, 2026, and stipulated that he must fully cooperate with the investigation as the case proceeds.

The FIR itself, registered under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, followed a private complaint from a Bengaluru advocate who alleged that the mimicry violated the sanctity of the Daiva/Bhoota Kola tradition — an important cultural ritual in coastal Karnataka.

Also read: Karnataka HC declines an urgent hearing of Ranveer Singh's plea in the Kantara Daiva mimicry case

The matter is now scheduled for further judicial proceedings as the court continues to consider Ranveer’s plea to quash the FIR.