Actor and director Rishab Shetty has publicly addressed the recent controversy stemming from Bollywood star Ranveer Singh's mimicry of the sacred Chamundi Daiva (Chavundi) from the film Kantara: Chapter 1. The incident occurred during their interaction at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa earlier this month.
Filmmaker's Unease Over Cultural Dilution
Speaking at a Behindwoods event in Chennai, Rishab Shetty reflected on the delicate balance between cinema and tradition. While he did not mention Ranveer Singh by name, his comments directly addressed the growing unease around sacred cultural symbols being adapted for public performance.
He acknowledged that films rooted in deep cultural traditions, like Kantara, always carry a risk. "There was a constant fear that culture and belief could be diluted and turned into pop culture once the film reached a wider audience," Shetty stated. He emphasized his reliance on guidance from community elders to ensure every ritual in the film was portrayed with utmost care and respect.
"That Makes Me Uncomfortable": Shetty's Emotional Appeal
Rishab Shetty did not mince words when expressing his feelings about people reenacting the divine daivas on stage. "That makes me uncomfortable," he said. "While much of the film is cinema and performance, the daiva element is sensitive and sacred. Wherever I go, I request people not to perform it on stage or mock it. It is emotionally deeply connected to us."
He revealed that despite repeated requests from the Kantara team to avoid such mimicry, seeing the daivas being "mimicked or mocked" continues to affect him deeply. This statement directly references the viral moment at IFFI where Ranveer Singh performed the mimicry on stage, even after Shetty asked him not to, triggering widespread online criticism.
Ranveer's Apology and Box Office Success
Following the significant backlash, Ranveer Singh took to Instagram to clarify his intentions and issue an apology. He explained that his act was meant to praise Rishab Shetty's powerful performance as an actor. "My intention was to highlight Rishabh's incredible performance in the film," he wrote, adding his "utmost admiration" for the demanding scene.
Singh also apologized, stating, "I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise."
On the work front, both Kantara (2022) and Kantara: Chapter 1 (2025) remain among the highest-grossing Kannada films, trailing only behind KGF: Chapter 2. Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh's latest film, Dhurandhar, continues its strong theatrical run, ranking among the year's major box office successes.
