By Ayesha Khan 
New Delhi, December 2: People who attended the International Film Festival of India closing ceremony in Goa say the night was mostly predictable until Ranveer Singh jumped in with an improvised take on a moment from Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1. He was loud, energetic, the usual Ranveer. Nothing surprising there.
What jolted people was a line he reportedly tossed out, calling the Daiva from Kantara a female ghost. A few chuckles, a few puzzled looks in the hall, and that was that. But once the video landed online, the temperature changed.
According to The Times of India, the remark rubbed many the wrong way, especially those familiar with the Daiva tradition. The ritual is woven into the identity of communities in coastal Karnataka, and for them, the term “ghost” is not just inaccurate but disrespectful. The clip began bouncing through social media, and by the next morning, the criticism had turned into something heavier.
A Complaint That Pushed The Issue Beyond Social Media
The uproar became more serious early on December 2 when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti filed a complaint. They accused Ranveer of insulting Goddess Chamundadevi, who is connected to the Daiva’s portrayal in Kantara. Their position was blunt. The actor had crossed a line, and they wanted a public apology.
As reported by The Times of India, the group said the comment hurt religious sentiment. That shifted the conversation into official space, away from the usual online arguments that flare up and burn out in a day or two.
Inside the film industry, a few people insisted quietly that Ranveer is known for playful energy rather than malice. But that didn’t slow down the criticism circulating online. Once a complaint exists, explanations start sounding like excuses.
Ranveer’s Response Arrives Quickly
Sometime late morning, Ranveer put out a short statement. “If I’ve hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise,” he said, according to The Times of India.
He added that he respects every culture, a detail noted by The Economic Times. The wording suggested he wanted to move the matter off his plate as fast as possible. Not surprising, considering his next film, Dhurandhar, is set to release on December 5. No actor wants a controversy trailing them into opening weekend.
People online responded in their usual split ways. Some accepted the apology and said it was enough. Others felt he didn’t quite address why the line upset people in the first place.
Why The Reaction Hit Hard
The frustration didn’t come out of thin air. Kantara’s depiction of ritual performance isn’t cosmetic. It draws from the Bhoota Kola tradition, where the Daiva is a protector spirit and carries a respected place in community life.
According to indiaherald.com, the film’s portrayal borrows directly from ceremonies that are performed with the belief that the spirit is present through the performer. That is a far cry from the idea of a “ghost.” A single misplaced label can feel like a reduction of something deeply meaningful.
People from Karnataka, especially those who grew up around the tradition, took the remark personally. And once a cultural nerve is touched, the conversation usually widens fast.
Online Reaction Snowballs
As the clip made its way across timelines, criticisms multiplied. Posts accused Ranveer of misunderstanding or trivialising the tradition. Some questioned why the festival stage was used to re-enact a ritual scene without proper context. According to The Times of India, several users said the act created a distorted picture for people unfamiliar with the ritual.
Others pointed out that Bollywood frequently borrows from regional cultures but doesn’t always study their depth. That sentiment sharpened the backlash. Ranveer’s vocal supporters jumped in, but the tone online had already shifted against him.
A Stressful Week For Dhurandhar
The timing is unfortunate. With Dhurandhar arriving in a few days, analysts quoted by The Economic Times said the controversy could spill into the film’s early reception. These things don’t necessarily damage a release, but they can unsettle the promotional narrative.
Ranveer is one of the few actors whose public persona is almost as discussed as his films, so whenever he steps into trouble, it tends to travel fast.
Rishab Shetty’s Silence
One missing voice so far is Rishab Shetty’s. People in the Kannada film industry say he chooses his words carefully whenever cultural subjects are involved. His view matters because he built the fictional space where the Daiva appears and because he understands the tradition directly. How he responds may determine whether tempers cool or whether the issue lingers longer than expected.
What The Next Few Days May Hold
With the complaint now sitting with authorities and the apology already out, the next step will depend on whether the complainants feel satisfied. If they want further action, the controversy could stretch into the coming week. If not, it may fade once the immediate anger settles.
Cultural scholars note that when live performances mix sacred traditions with entertainment settings, misunderstandings often happen. Without context or preparation, even a small comment can ignite a large reaction.
A Broader Question About Representation
Kantara opened a conversation about regional traditions reaching national screens. But it also raised expectations about how these traditions should be handled. Festival organisers may rethink how they curate performances that reference spiritual or ritual imagery. Artists, too, may take a more careful approach before improvising with material that comes from living traditions.
For Ranveer Singh, this episode shows how quickly spontaneity can turn into controversy. His stage persona thrives on unpredictability, but this time, the wrong word found the wrong audience. Whether the apology ends the matter or not, the moment will likely stay with him for a while.
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- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
- Ayesha Khanhttps://hindustanherald.in/author/ayesha/
