The Karnataka High Court on Saturday quashed the First Information Report (FIR) filed against actor Ranveer Singh, who was accused of mimicking the iconic Kantara Daiva scene, after he tendered an unconditional apology and offered to personally visit the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru and seek forgiveness.
Justice M Nagaprasanna disposed of the petition filed by the Dhurandhar actor and said it would, in its order, “admonish” him for hurting the sentiments of the people by performing his act.
Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for the actor, submitted the affidavit of apology and claimed that due to the release of the film Dhurandhar, there is a heightened threat perception against him and he is not being allowed to move out; therefore, the date on which he would visit the temple is not mentioned in the affidavit.
The complainant, appearing in person, contended that it may be a case for Poovayya, but it was a belief system for many. “Karnataka Police is powerful and protective, and nothing untoward could happen if the actor would visit the temple,” he said.
Additional State Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha urged the court to direct the actor to inform the date of his visit to the temple in advance to the authorities. Justice Nagaprasanna then orally said it would record in the order that the actor should visit the temple within four weeks.
In 2025, at IFFI Goa, while addressing Kannada actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty and lauding his performance in his 2024 action thriller Kantara: Chapter 1, Singh had mimicked an act. Despite Shetty’s reluctance, Singh went on to mimic his performance from the film.
Advocate Prashanth Methal then filed a private complaint before the 1st Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court, alleging that Singh hurt his religious sentiments by mocking a sacred daiva tradition at the event. Allowing the complaint, the court directed the High Grounds police to register an FIR against the actor.
The FIR was registered in January under several charges, including promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class, etc.
Singh then approached the court seeking to quash the case.
The matter was heard eight times by the Karnataka High Court. On the first hearing held on February 24, the court had granted an interim order directing the police not to take any coercive action against Ranveer.
During the hearing, the court had orally said, “If you are a superstar, no worries, but you should be responsible, you cannot have a loose tongue at all…you may be Ranveer Singh or whoever. As an actor, you should be more responsible. If you are speaking about a deity and if you do not know about it, you can study and speak, you cannot call it a ‘female ghost’, you cannot hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.”
Poovayya, appearing for Singh, had admitted that the actor had made a completely insensitive statement on a formal occasion. “I have been reckless and insensitive,” he had said. He, without arguing on the merits of the case, offered to tender an unconditional apology and visit the temple.
