Ranveer Singh Faces Massive Backlash for Mimicking Rishab Shetty’s Daiva Act at IFFI 2025

Ranveer Singh has found himself at the center of a storm after his appearance at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025. The actor is being widely criticised for mimicking Rishab Shetty's revered daiva act from Kantara Chapter 1, despite being warned not to. His additional remark calling the daiva a "female ghost" further fuelled outrage online.

The Moment That Triggered the Controversy

A longer video from the event shows Ranveer stepping off the stage to greet celebrities seated in the front row. He greets Rajinikanth and his wife, followed by other dignitaries. When he reaches Rishab Shetty, the Kantara star stands to shake hands.

Ranveer then takes a couple of steps back and suddenly imitates the iconic daiva roop. Immediately, Rishab gestures with his finger, warning him not to proceed. Despite this, Ranveer continues his act.

Within hours, the clip spread across social media, drawing backlash from fans of the film, cultural groups, and several users who felt the gesture was disrespectful.

Ranveer Refers to the Daiva as a "Female Ghost"

Another viral clip worsened the situation. While praising Rishab's performance, Ranveer says:

"I watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres, and Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body - that shot was amazing."

He then reenacts the scene on stage, prompting mixed reactions from attendees but outrage online. Many criticised the description of the daiva, a sacred spirit worshipped in coastal Karnataka traditions, as a "female ghost."

Ranveer also joked with the audience, asking whether they wanted him in Kantara 3 and told them to "let Rishab know."

Why Fans Are Offended

The daiva tradition is considered sacred and deeply rooted in coastal Karnataka's heritage. Many social media users argued that recreating the act casually-and ignoring the warning from the creator himself-was disrespectful. The "female ghost" remark further hurt sentiments, as the daiva is not considered a ghost but a divine spirit.

About Kantara Chapter 1

Rishab Shetty's film serves as a prelude to the 2022 blockbuster Kantara. The 2025 release dives deeper into ancestral rituals and the legacy carried forward from the first film. Featuring Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah, the film became the highest-grossing film of 2025, collecting ₹851.93 crore worldwide.

Ranveer Singh's Upcoming Film Dhurandhar

Ranveer is gearing up for the release of Dhurandhar, where he plays a gritty, high-voltage action character. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R Madhavan. The movie is set to hit theatres on December 5.