Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash a criminal case registered against him for allegedly insulting religious sentiments. The controversy stems from an incident where the actor mimicked a sacred “Daiva” (deity) sequence from the film Kantara: Chapter 1 during a public event. Singh’s legal team filed the petition in Bengaluru on February 23, 2026, arguing that his actions were intended as a “sincere tribute” to filmmaker Rishab Shetty and have been unfairly “given a criminal colour.”
The FIR was originally registered in January 2026 at the High Grounds Police Station following a complaint by advocate Prashanth Methal. The complainant alleged that during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, Singh referred to the revered Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost” and imitated the ritualistic expressions in a “crude and comical” manner. The actor has been booked under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to promoting enmity and outraging religious feelings.
During the hearing on Monday, Singh’s counsel, Advocate Manu Prabhakar Kulkarni, requested an urgent same-day hearing, citing “undue stress” on the actor after receiving two police notices. However, Justice M. Nagaprasanna declined the request for an expedited listing. The judge remarked that the court would not provide special treatment simply because the petitioner is a Bollywood star, questioning if the court would be expected to “race against time” even for a Hollywood celebrity.
The defense maintains that Singh issued an unconditional apology on social media immediately after the backlash, clarifying that his comments were taken out of context. They argue that the essential ingredients of the alleged offenses—such as malicious intent or incitement to violence—are entirely absent from the case. The court has now scheduled the matter for a regular hearing on February 24, 2026.
The case has reignited a national debate over the representation of indigenous traditions like Bhoota Kola in mainstream media. While Kantara brought the folklore of coastal Karnataka to global fame, local communities have remained protective of the spiritual sanctity of the Daiva.
- Key Allegation: Referring to a deity as a “ghost” is viewed as a serious distortion of the divine feminine energy.
- Legal Argument: The defense claims the “mechanical” registration of the FIR amounts to an abuse of the process of law.
- Context: The incident occurred while Singh was on stage with Rishab Shetty, who was seen at the time requesting Singh to stop the imitation.
Key Highlights:
- Legal Challenge: Ranveer Singh has petitioned the Karnataka High Court to dismiss an FIR filed against him for mimicking the Kantara Daiva.
- Court’s Stance: Justice M. Nagaprasanna refused an urgent hearing, stating that celebrities do not qualify for preferential treatment over regular litigants.
- The Charges: The actor faces BNS sections 196, 299, and 302 for allegedly insulting Hindu religious sentiments by calling a deity a “female ghost.”
- Defense Plea: Singh’s lawyers argue the act was a gesture of appreciation for Rishab Shetty’s performance and lacked any malicious intent.