Karnataka Police have swung into action, filing an FIR against high-energy Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh for allegedly insulting religious sentiments. The trigger? His exuberant reenactment of a ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ scene at the prestigious International Film Festival of India, which rubbed devotees the wrong way.
Filed at Bengaluru’s High Grounds station by advocate Prashant Methal, the complaint accuses Singh of vilifying Chavundi Daiva—venerated guardian spirits in coastal Karnataka revered as embodiments of divine wrath and protection. Despite warnings, Singh performed the emotional sequence and infamously dubbed the deity a ‘ghost’, crossing a sacred line for many.
Invoking Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections on disturbing communal harmony, outraging religious feelings, and intentional acts to provoke riots, the FIR signals serious intent. Investigations are underway, with police scrutinizing video footage and witness statements.
For coastal communities, Chavundi Daiva isn’t folklore—it’s living faith. Methal, a lifelong devotee from a family tied to these traditions, called the act ‘malicious propaganda’ designed to belittle Hindu rituals. The slur, he says, risks fueling religious discord in an already polarized society.
This isn’t Singh’s first brush with controversy, but it strikes at India’s core fault line: faith versus free speech. ‘Kantara’ propelled regional myths to national fame, yet here it sows division. Supporters argue context was lost in translation; detractors see blatant disrespect.
As the story develops, expect calls for boycotts, apologies, or even court summons. The IFFI stage, meant to celebrate cinema, now spotlights celebrity responsibility. In a country where religion binds and divides, one actor’s improv could echo far beyond festival lights.