Actor Gulshan Devaiah has shared his perspective on the recent controversy surrounding Bollywood star Ranveer Singh and his mimicry of a sacred scene from the blockbuster Kannada film Kantara. Devaiah, who played King Kulashekhara in the film, suggested that while the sentiments of the Tulu community are valid, it is time to accept Singh's apology and move forward.
Devaiah's Take on the 'Mistake'
In a recent interview with NDTV on December 23, 2025, Gulshan Devaiah addressed the widespread outrage. He acknowledged that the scene in question was deeply integral and "romanchak" (thrilling), which might have led to an over-excited reaction. "We all make mistakes when we get excited," Devaiah stated, referring to Ranveer Singh's actions.
He emphasized his understanding of the community's hurt feelings, noting, "It's part of their identity. They feel it is disrespectful to their culture, and that's fine. From their perspective, it is correct." However, the actor reiterated that since Singh has already issued a sincere apology, the matter should be laid to rest. "Let's take it with that... we should just accept it and move on," he concluded.
The Spark of the Controversy
The incident occurred at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), just a week before the release of Ranveer Singh's own hit film, Dhurandhar. A viral video showed Singh referring to the Chamundi daiva from Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 as a "female ghost" and then mimicking actor-director Rishab Shetty's powerful performance of the Daiva possession scene.
The act was perceived as disrespectful and culturally insensitive by many, especially members of the Tulu community for whom the Daiva tradition is sacred. The backlash was swift and severe across social media platforms.
Apologies and Aftermath
Following the uproar, Ranveer Singh issued a detailed public apology on his social media handles. He clarified that his intent was solely to appreciate Rishab Shetty's extraordinary acting in that challenging scene. "I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition, and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise," he wrote.
Interestingly, Kantara creator Rishab Shetty had also previously expressed discomfort with mimicry of the Daiva scenes, calling the subject "sensitive and sacred."
On the professional front, while Ranveer Singh basks in the success of Dhurandhar—which has crossed Rs 500 crore at the domestic box office—and prepares for its sequel in 2026, Gulshan Devaiah is busy with upcoming projects like Legacy with R Madhavan and Maa Inti Bangaram with Samantha Ruth Prabhu.
