Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh is facing more legal trouble after the Bengaluru police filed an FIR against him for allegedly mimicking the Hindu deities referred to in actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara films. The case was registered based on a complaint of hurting religious sentiments. The complainant, a Bengaluru-based lawyer named Prashant Methal, alleged that Singh insulted the goddess Chamundi and that he distorted the Panchuruli god depicted in the film.
Ranveer had imitated the performance of Rishabh Shetty, the hero of the film 'Kantara: A Legend Chapter One', at the closing ceremony of the Goa International Film Festival in December. Ranveer's imitation was in front of Rishabh. The complaint also alleged that Ranveer continued to imitate God despite Rishabh Shetty, who is also the director of the film, requesting him not to imitate God in a distorted way.
The complainant said that he is a person who believes in the traditional Bhootkola rituals of Karnataka and that Chamundi is his family deity. Prashant Methal alleged that Ranveer did it deliberately and to hurt religious beliefs.
The complaint was filed in the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, Bengaluru. The petition was filed on December 27, and an order was issued to register a case in January. The case was then registered at the Bengaluru High Grounds Police Station. The case is under sections 175(3), 196, 299, and 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The court will consider the case again on April 8.
After backlash and an official complaint from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), the actor issued an apology on his Instagram story.
"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. (sic)," wrote the Dhurandhar actor.
Ranveer also stated he has "deep respect" for every culture, tradition, and belief in India. He concluded his note by sincerely apologising for any hurt caused.
Rishab was seated in the front row at the event, appearing to signal Ranveer to be cautious, given the sensitivity of the subject.
In their complaint, the HJS wrote: “Chamundi Daiva is considered a sacred family deity of the Tulu community, and depicting or describing the deity in a derogatory manner amounts to disrespect. Such acts may cause public resentment and disturb peace."
On the stage, Ranveer had seemingly intended the mimicry to be an appreciation of Rishab's intensity, but the act unexpectedly backfired. "I watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres, and Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body — that shot was amazing," Ranveer said then.