Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has issued a formal apology after facing severe backlash and online trolling for comically mimicking a sacred Daiva scene from the Kannada film Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
🎭 The Incident
At the IFFI closing ceremony, and in the presence of Kantara‘s star and director, Rishab Shetty, Ranveer Singh:
- Stuck out his tongue and imitated the sacred Daiva (local folk god) scene from the film.
- Further compounded the offense by referring to the Daiva as a “female ghost.”
The actions were deemed disrespectful to the local Tulu culture and religious traditions, leading many online users to label the actor a “clown” and question his timing just days before the release of his film, Dhurandhar.
📜 Ranveer’s Apology
On Monday morning, Ranveer Singh addressed the controversy by posting an official apology on his Instagram story:
“My intention was to highlight Rishab’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.”
The actor stressed that his intention was solely to acknowledge Rishab Shetty’s impressive acting prowess and confirmed his deep respect for the country’s diverse cultures and beliefs.