Recently, we reported about Ranveer Singh facing flak for his rendition of the 'Daiva' character in Kantara and calling the character a "female ghost" and subsequently apologising for his actions. Recently, Kantara's director and lead actor Rishab Shetty gave his response to such interpretations of the character in popular culture. Without referring to Ranveer's imitation, Rishab said at a Behindwoods event that it makes him uncomfortable to see such renditions. The actor-filmmaker shared that he is a spiritual person with strong belief in God and that his family is deeply connected to the 'Daiva' element, shown in the film. Rishab said that Kantara showed the element realistically, without adding any cinematic flavour to it, and that he sought the advice of elders to portray it in a sensitive manner in the film.

At the same time, Rishab expressed his disappointment at the imitation of the character on stage and its representation in Instagram reels. "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," the actor-filmmaker said.

Rishab won best actor and Kantara was voted as Best Popular Film at the 70th National Film Awards. One of the highlights of Kantara is Rishab's Daiva transformation at the end of the film.