Ranveer Singh mimics Kantara's sacred Chaundi ritual at IFFI 2025; upset netizens call him out saying, 'unnecessary and disrespectful'

Ranveer Singh gets backlash

Ranveer Singh has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a moment from the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) closing ceremony in Goa went viral.

While the actor initially won praise for his energetic tribute to superstar Rajinikanth, a segment involving his mimicry of a revered ritual depiction from Kantara has triggered widespread criticism.

During the event, that also had Kantara creator, director and actor Rishab Shetty present among the audience, Ranveer enthusiastically spoke about the franchise and singled out Rishab's intense performance from Kantara Chapter 1. Referring to Chaundi, the sister of Guliga Daiva, he called the character a “female ghost” before reenacting her expression on stage. With crossed eyes, his tongue out, and a loud “primordial scream,” the actor launched into a physical imitation that left Rishab Shetty laughing.

Ranveer then joked, “Anybody here want to see me in Kantara 3? Tell this guy,” pointing towards Rishab.

While the crowd at IFFI responded with amusement, the clip’s circulation online has painted a very different picture. Social media users, especially those familiar with Tulunad’s Daivaradhane traditions depicted in Kantara, condemned the act as disrespectful and dismissive of sacred cultural practices.

On X (formerly Twitter), criticism poured in. One user wrote, “Ranveer's reaction to the Kantara scene really felt unnecessary and disrespectful.” Another posted, “Ranveer Singh literally mocking Daiva Chaundi possession in Kantara. How low these movie stars can go for fame, money with zero respect for sacred Tulunad Daivaradhane beliefs. Shame. Rishabh is enjoying that mimic?”

Ranveer's reaction to the Kantara scene really felt unnecessary and disrespectful pic.twitter.com/yQeffCofZk

— Nandan (@nandan_333) November 29, 2025

There’s a reason why today’s actors should be kept away from promotions . They end up creating controversy 🤦‍♂️#Dhurandhar#RanveerSinghpic.twitter.com/ROynqG8YzG — Matineeguy (@MKDJobsNew53) November 29, 2025

Dear @RanveerOfficial you don't know the difference between God and Ghost ....🤦🤦🤦 Chavundi is Goddess not ghost ..🙏 And you literally mocking on big stage..🤦#KantaraChapter1#RanveerSingh    pic.twitter.com/SXV3HZdUfq

— Agasthya ᵀᵒˣᶦᶜ (@sachi_1933) November 29, 2025

Further backlash echoed similar sentiments, with a user commenting, “Ranveer should have just kept his mouth shut… now people are mocking him for that uhhh he is costing the movie what it deserves.”

A more furious reaction read, “I hope being an ardent devotee of Daivas, @shetty_rishab called out that clown @RanveerOfficial to not enact Daiva like that. That too in a comic way. No, neither we want Ranveer nor we want another Kantara. Enough is enough.”

Another critic added, “It's his duty to mock everything in a show like this!!! Cringe as always.”

As the debate intensifies, both Ranveer Singh and Rishab Shetty have yet to comment publicly on the controversy. The incident comes at a crucial time for Ranveer, who is gearing up for his next release, Dhurandhar that releases on December 5.