Ranveer Singh Mocked Kantara’s Chavundi Daiva Scene, Called Deity ‘Female Ghost’

Rishab Shetty Warned Ranveer Singh, Yet He Mocked Kantara’s Sacred Chavundi Daiva Scene on Stage

At the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa on November 28, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh attempted to pay tribute to the Kannada blockbuster Kantara and its maker-star Rishab Shetty.

What started as an act of admiration became a controversy with Ranveer referring to Chavundi Daiva, a deity revered in the region of Tulu-Nadu, as a ‘female ghost’ while mimicking a dramatic ‘possession’ scene from the film.

Ranveer Singh Faces Backlash Over Kantara Mockery

In a viral clip from the event, Ranveer said, “I watched Kantara Chapter 1. The female ghost Chavundi Daiva entering your body, that shot was amazing,’ and then enacted the scene on the stage with exaggerated expressions. In yet another joke, he spoke about appearing in a hypothetical Kantara 3, pointing at Rishab Shetty.

The act quickly became the target of much backlash on social media. Fans and cultural commentators labeled it ‘unnecessary,’ ‘disrespectful,’ and ‘tone‑deaf,’ with some saying the actor made light of a sacred cultural-religious tradition.

One X user wrote, “Ranveer Singh is literally mocking Daiva Chavundi's possession in Kantara. How low these movie stars can go for fame and money with zero respect for sacred Tulunad Daivaradhane beliefs.”

Ranveer Singh Sparks Outrage Over Cultural Mockery

It has been reported that Rishab Shetty himself had allegedly cautioned Ranveer in advance not to imitate the sacred Daiva scene, a warning apparently unheeded. Many calls for an apology arose, asserting that public figures must respect local cultural and religious sentiments.

As of now, neither Ranveer Singh nor his team has stated that they will address the controversy. The incident has again raised debates over celebrities' responsibilities while working with material that might be offensive to certain cultural sentiments and while representing regional folk beliefs in public forums.