Bollywood’s dynamic performer Ranveer Singh is under fire after Karnataka authorities registered an FIR against him. The reason: a stage act at IFFI perceived as a direct affront to Chavundi Daiva, the powerful folk deities central to Karnataka’s coastal spiritual life.
Prashant Methal, a Bengaluru lawyer and devotee, lodged the complaint at High Grounds police station. He recounts how Singh, promoting ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, ignored pleas and staged a pivotal scene, reducing a holy entity to a mere ‘bhoot’. This, Methal claims, was no slip— it was calculated to mock age-old worship practices.
The charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita target threats to social peace, deliberate religious insults, and provocative expressions wounding faith. With the FIR in place, a thorough probe promises to dissect the actor’s intentions and impact.
Deeply personal for Methal, Chavundi Daiva are family kuldevtas symbolizing unyielding feminine divinity. ‘Labeling them ghosts desecrates our heritage and invites communal strife,’ he asserted. The incident resonates amid rising sensitivities around cultural portrayals in media.
‘Kantara’s success hinged on authentic deity reverence, making this twist particularly galling. Singh’s high-octane style often blurs performance and provocation, but has he finally overstepped? The nation debates artistic freedom’s limits when sacred icons are involved.
While Singh remains mum, the fallout could ripple through film circuits and legal halls. This case might redefine boundaries for promotional gimmicks at events like IFFI, urging stars to honor the faiths they depict. In India’s tapestry of beliefs, one wrong word can unravel threads of unity.