Kantara mimicry row: Court accepts Ranveer Singh's apology, orders temple visit

The Karnataka High Court accepted Ranveer Singh's unconditional apology in the Kantara mimicry case after his revised affidavit was filed. The court indicated the matter would be disposed of and asked him to visit the Chamundeshwari temple within four weeks.

In Short

• The revised affidavit followed objections that his earlier apology lacked remorse
• The dispute arose from remarks made during IFFI Goa last year
• Singh mistakenly described the film's daivas as ghosts during his praise

The Karnataka High Court has accepted actor Ranveer Singh’s unconditional apology in the Kantara mimicry case after he submitted a revised affidavit on Saturday (April 25). Taking note of the fresh affidavit, the court orally indicated that it would dispose of the matter, Live Law reported.

The court also directed Singh to visit the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore within the next four weeks.

What is the Kantara mimicry case?

The court was hearing Singh’s plea seeking to quash an FIR registered against him over his mimicry of Rishab Shetty’s character from Kantara: Chapter 1 during the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa last year. The actor faced backlash over allegations that he had hurt religious sentiments and referred to the Chamundeshwari temple deity as a female ghost.

Earlier, on April 10, Singh had told the High Court that he would sit with the complainant and work with them on the language of the apology affidavit. This came after the complainant told the court that the earlier affidavit did not reflect genuine remorse.

During his remarks at the event, Singh, while attempting to praise the film, had mistakenly referred to the daivas, or demigods, shown in Kantara: Chapter 1 as ghosts. He had said, “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 then went on to mimic Shetty’s portrayal of the daivas, which is an intrinsic part of the Bhoota Kola tradition of coastal Karnataka.

Though Singh apologised by sharing a statement on Instagram Stories, a complaint was later filed by a member of the Hindu outfit, alleging disrespect to the daivas.

Singh later moved the Karnataka High Court in February seeking relief after the FIR was registered. His plea challenged the case filed on the complaint of an advocate under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating respectively to promoting enmity between groups and acts prejudicial to harmony, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

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