Actor Ranveer Singh’s lighthearted attempt to mimic a key scene from Rishabh Shetty’s hit film Kantara during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 closing ceremony in Goa has triggered a wave of backlash online. Many viewers have condemned the gesture as insensitive, arguing it trivialized a moment steeped in profound cultural and spiritual resonance.
Singh, known for his energetic persona, took the stage on Friday to discuss various subjects, including his forthcoming action thriller Dhurandhar. Yet it was his tribute to Shetty and the sequel to the 2022 blockbuster that drew the most scrutiny. The follow-up installment, released last month, has raked in more than Rs 800 crore globally, buoyed by Shetty’s compelling depiction of a character gripped by divine fervor.
In a clip that rapidly spread across social platforms, Singh lauded Shetty’s tour-de-force acting, particularly in the film’s climactic sequence. “It was an outstanding performance, especially when a female ghost gets inside your body. That one performance…” he began, before launching into a spontaneous imitation of the intense possession ritual on stage.
Intended as homage, the reenactment instead provoked ire due to the scene’s sacred undertones. Rooted in regional folklore and devotion, the portrayal—centered on the deity Guliga or “Chavundi”—carries deep religious weight for audiences familiar with its origins. Critics swiftly pointed out Singh’s phrasing, which mischaracterized the entity as a “ghost” rather than a revered goddess, amplifying perceptions of cultural oversight.
ALSO READ : Deepika Padukone Set to Link with Deol Clan Through Sister’s Reported Romance
Social media erupted with pointed rebukes. One user vented, “Ranveer’s reaction to the Kantara scene really felt unnecessary and disrespectful.” Another, overlaying facepalm emojis, corrected: “Chavundi is Goddess not ghost…” The swift circulation of the footage fueled a broader conversation about boundaries in celebrity tributes.
Not everyone piled on, however. Supporters rallied to Singh’s defense, emphasizing the room’s jovial vibe. “If u are blaming ranveer, blame others too They were aslo laughing,” one commenter noted. Another observed, “Rishab himself was laughing. Don’t make everything controversial.”
The episode unfolds amid heightened attention on Singh’s next project, Dhurandhar, slated for December 5. The film’s gritty trailer has generated buzz for its visceral action sequences, but it has also courted separate controversy. As reported by Bar and Bench, the family of the late Major Mohit Sharma—posthumously honored with the Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal—petitioned the Delhi High Court for a release halt, fearing the story echoed their son’s valorous life.
The production swiftly rebutted the claims in a public statement: “Hi, sir – Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification. I assure you, if we do make a biopic on Mohit Sir in the future, we will do it with full consent and in complete consultation with the family, and in a way that truly honours his sacrifice for the nation and the legacy it has left for all of us.”
As debates simmer, the incident underscores the fine line between admiration and appropriation in an era of viral scrutiny, leaving fans to ponder whether Singh’s flair crossed into faux pas.
-
-
-
-
