The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, issued a stern reprimand to Bollywood star Ranveer Singh while providing him with temporary protection from arrest in a case involving the alleged mockery of a sacred deity. Justice M. Nagaprasanna, while hearing Singh’s petition to quash an FIR, cautioned the actor that “being a superstar does not place one above the law” and emphasized that public figures must exercise extreme caution when discussing religious traditions. The court observed that mimicking the Daiva from the film Kantara—which Singh reportedly referred to as a “female ghost” during an event in Goa—constituted “gross ignorance” of the region’s sacred culture and had clearly wounded the sentiments of the people of Karnataka.
The controversy dates back to November 2025, during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where Singh allegedly imitated the Avesham (divine possession) of Goddess Chavundi while praising actor-director Rishab Shetty’s performance. Despite a public apology from Singh on social media, a Bengaluru-based advocate filed a criminal complaint under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for promoting enmity and hurting religious feelings. During Tuesday’s hearing, Singh’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, admitted the actor’s remarks were “insensitive and reckless,” stating that Singh was willing to do whatever was necessary to undo the harm caused. In a lighter but pointed moment, the complainant’s counsel referred to Singh as “Karnataka’s son-in-law” (referring to his marriage to Deepika Padukone), arguing that his familiarity with the state’s culture should have made him more responsible.
While the judge delivered a sharp “rap on the knuckles” for the actor’s “loose-tongued” behavior, the court granted an interim stay on any coercive action by the Bengaluru police until the next hearing. Justice Nagaprasanna noted that while he was not yet labeling the act a “deliberate” insult, the impact of such statements on the internet is permanent, remarking that “people may forget, but the internet never forgets.” The matter has been adjourned to Monday, March 2, 2026, by which time the state government and the complainant must file their formal objections. For now, the “Dhurandhar” star remains safe from arrest, provided he continues to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
