Rishab Shetty Sat Back & Laughed When Ranveer Said 'Female Ghost': Suchitra Calls Kantara Greedy Cinema

The controversy surrounding Bollywood star Ranveer Singh's mimicry of a climactic scene from the blockbuster film Kantara: Chapter 1 has escalated into a wider cultural debate, with singer Suchitra entering the fray with a vehement defence of Singh and a scathing critique of the film's team.

The incident, which occurred at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, saw Singh re-enact actor-director Rishab Shetty's intense 'Daiva' (deity) possession performance from the film. Singh's choice of words, however, sparked immediate backlash. Addressing Shetty, who was in the audience, Singh said, "Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body."

The description of the revered daiva as a "ghost" was perceived by many, particularly fans of the culturally rooted Kannada film, as a profound mischaracterization and an act of disrespect toward the spiritual traditions it depicted. While initial footage showed Rishab Shetty laughing at the mimicry, subsequent video revealed him earlier warning Singh not to mimic him, fueling further criticism online and prompting Singh to issue a public apology on Tuesday.

Singh Issues Contrite Apology

Taking to his Instagram Stories, Ranveer Singh expressed regret. "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... for which he has my utmost admiration," he wrote. He affirmed his respect for India's diverse cultures and traditions, concluding, "If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise."

Suchitra's Blistering Rebuke

The apology, however, did not quell the discourse. Controversial singer Suchitra, known for her outspoken views, launched a lengthy Instagram post squarely supporting Singh and attacking Shetty and the Kantara narrative.

"I'd say Devi would be blessing Ranveer Singh for exposing the greedy cinema that uses her," Suchitra stated provocatively. "I'll never watch Kantara coz if I want divine vibes, I'll go to a temple, not a movie theatre." She framed her argument around the commercial use of faith, asking her followers, "Aren't u all sick and tired of Gods being used in Cinema? I certainly am."

Directly challenging Rishab Shetty's reaction, Suchitra dissected the event's footage. "Your Rishab Shetty may have wagged his finger, but he sat back and laughed when Ranveer said 'female ghost' - and that is what it was - don't you dare say Devi herself essayed that role! Or that the makers of Kantara are her guardians," she wrote.

In a pointed defence of Singh's persona, she added, "Ranveer Singh MAY NOT WANT TO BECOME AN AMITABH BACCHAN! So let him be his irreverent self." She interpreted the ongoing criticism post-apology as revealing, stating, "You've made him apologise, and you won't even accept the apology - that says a lot more about YOU than him."

A Deepening Cultural Fault Line

The exchange has highlighted a persistent tension in Indian popular culture: the intersection of commercial cinema, artistic expression, and religious sentiment. Kantara, a film deeply woven with the fabric of coastal Karnataka's Bhoota Kola tradition, is celebrated by its audience for its authentic portrayal. Critics of Singh's act see it as a flippant reduction of a sacred practice by an outsider.

Suchitra's intervention reframes the debate, questioning the purity of intent in cinematic portrayals of divinity itself and championing individual artistic freedom over perceived cultural guardianship. The incident underscores the challenges public figures face when navigating India's complex landscape of faith and tradition, where a single word-"ghost" versus "deity"-can ignite a firestorm. As of now, Rishab Shetty and the Kantara team have not publicly responded to Suchitra's comments, leaving the industry and public to grapple with the unresolved questions she has forcefully posed.