A few months ago, Ranveer Singh drew a lot of flak for allegedly mocking revered deity from the Bhoota Kola tradition during his speech at the closing ceremony of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, while praising Rishab Shetty for his performance in Kantara: Chapter 1. Even though the actor issued an apology soon after, criticism came against him from all corners. Now an FIR has been filed against the actor for the same. 

According to reports, after a Bangalore-based advocate, Prashanth Methal, filed a private complaint before the 1st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court in relation to the case, the bench referred the complaint to the city's High Grounds police, who on Wednesday registered an FIR for further investigation. The FIR was registered under the sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), and 196 (promoting enmity between groups on the basis of religion, race, language, or place of birth) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

At the IFFI closing ceremony, Ranveer had imitated the film’s climax scene while also wrongly referring to the ‘Daiva’ as a ‘female ghost.’ Rishab, besides a few other political figures, was present at the ceremony. Later, while addressing the controversy, Rishab had said, “I feel about it, because the 'Daiva' element is a very sensitive element. It is an emotionally connected element for us. Therefore, wherever I go, I request people not to make a mockery of it on stage.”

In his apology statement, meanwhile, Ranveer had stated, “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. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”