The controversy intensified when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed a formal complaint against Ranveer Singh. The group claimed that the actor insulted Goddess Chamundadevi by describing the sacred figure in a derogatory manner.
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Ranveer Singh is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film ‘Dhurandhar’ hitting theatres on December 5. But the movie has now landed in another fresh controversy, this time to the extent that the actor had to issue an apology.
The uproar started after his appearance at the closing ceremony of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa where a light-hearted, fun moment on stage turned into a major public debate.
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The incident happened when Ranveer Singh decided to imitate the climax scene from the hit film ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’. While performing in front of the audience, which included the film’s director and actor Rishab Shetty, Ranveer made a comment comparing Chamundi Daiva, a sacred spiritual figure shown in the movie and worshipped in coastal Karnataka, to a “female ghost.”
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Ranveer pushed his tongue out, and screamed from the tip of his lungs. Even ‘Kantara’ actor Rishab Shetty had a good laugh.
Some in the crowd laughed at the joke seeing it as harmless humour. But once a video clip of the act surfaced online, reactions quickly changed. Social media users called the performance “insensitive” and “disrespectful” arguing that what Ranveer saw as comedy could deeply hurt people who revere the deity.
The controversy intensified when the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed a formal complaint against Ranveer Singh. The group claimed that the actor insulted Goddess Chamundadevi by describing the sacred figure in a derogatory manner. The complaint was submitted to Panaji police by HJS members Pramod Tuyekar and Dilip Shetye. They urged authorities to take action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The memorandum highlighted that Chamundi Daiva is a sacred family deity for the Kotitulu/Tulu community in Tamil Nadu. The HJS warned that mocking such a revered figure could spark unrest and hurt religious sentiments.
In addition to legal measures, the organisation demanded a public apology from Ranveer and requested that he refrain from making similar remarks or performances in the future.
The HJS also appealed to the IFFI organisers to create a code of conduct for events and ceremonies ensuring that no spiritual tradition or deity is mocked publicly.
Ranveer Singh took it to his Instagram stories to post an apology for his on-stage mimicry or the ‘primordial scream’. After severe backlash, the ‘Dhurandhar’ actor wrote, “My intention was to highlight Rishab’s incredible performance in the film. Actor to actor, I know how much it would take to perform that particular scene in the way that he did, for which he has my utmost admiration. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition and belief in our country. If I’ve hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise (sic).”
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