Hindi film actor Ranveer Singh has apologised after his comment on Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 went infamously viral. The actor, in an Instagram story, said he has always respected every culture and tradition in the country. "My intention was to highlight Rishabh'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...If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise."
The apology comes on the heels of severe backlash for Singh's comments on the film at the closing ceremony of IFFI 2025, the recently concluded film festival in Goa. Singh, in his attempt to appreciate the movie, erroneously called the daivas, or demigods, depicted in Kantara: Chapter 1, ghosts. “I watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres, and Rishab, it was an outstanding performance, especially when the female ghost (Chamundi daiva) enters your body — that shot was amazing.” He further mimicked Rishab Shetty's performance of the daivas, an intrinsic part of the Bhoota Kola tradition from coastal Karnataka, earning ire from a Hindu outfit, one of which filed a complaint against the actor on grounds of disrespecting the daivas.
The film, a box office hit from this year, is a prequel to the 2022 Kannada film of the same name. Directed by and starring Shetty, Kantara: Chapter 1 features a powerful supporting cast including Rukmini Vasanth, Jayaram, and Gulshan Devaiah. Its immersive world is elevated by B Ajaneesh Loknath’s score, Arvind S Kashyap’s cinematography, and editing by Suresh Mallaiah. Set in pre-colonial coastal Karnataka, the film explores the ancient roots of the Bhoota Kola ritual, infusing it with the regional lore and history and blending spirituality and action. The film was backed by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda under Hombale Films, which has also produced blockbusters like the KGF and Salaar franchises.