Actor Ranveer Singh has approached the Karnataka High Court to challenge an FIR filed against him following controversy surrounding his mimicry of Rishab Shetty during a public appearance.
The case, which has sparked significant debate, was heard on Monday and is now scheduled for further hearing. According to legal updates, the matter was listed before Justice M. Nagaprasanna for urgent consideration.
Ranveer’s legal team argued that the actor’s gesture was intended as appreciation rather than mockery.
“The petitioner is a Bollywood actor. His honest appreciation of Kantara Chapter 1 is given a criminal colour,” his counsel submitted in court.
However, the court declined to take up the matter immediately when an urgent hearing was requested.
The FIR was registered in Bengaluru earlier this year following court directions over allegations that Ranveer’s actions insulted Hindu religious sentiments and the traditional daiva/bhoota kola practices of coastal Karnataka.
The complaint was filed by advocate Prashanth Methal in December 2025.
He alleged that Ranveer mimicked expressions associated with sacred figures such as Panjuluri and Guliga Daiva in a disrespectful manner. The complaint also objected to Ranveer referring to Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost,” claiming the remark was deliberate and offensive.
#RanveerSingh making fun of #KantaraChapter1 in front of #RishabShetty pic.twitter.com/HdqO0Yq0KT
— $@M (@SAMTHEBESTEST_) November 29, 2025
The case was booked under Sections 196, 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The controversy traces back to November 28 last year during the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
While praising Rishab Shetty’s performance, Ranveer attempted to imitate his expressions from the film on stage. According to reports, Rishab requested him to stop on more than one occasion.
Ranveer had said:
“I saw that in theatres, Rishab, it was an outstanding performance… especially when the female ghost gets inside your body.”
He then mimicked the expression and jokingly added:
“Anybody here want to see me in Kantara 3?”
Following backlash, Ranveer issued a public apology.
“My intention was to highlight Rishabh’s incredible performance… Actor to actor, I know how much it takes to perform that scene,” he wrote.
Despite the apology, legal proceedings continued.
The matter is currently scheduled to be heard on April 8 at the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Ranveer was last seen in Dhurandhar, with Dhurandhar 2 set to release on March 19, where it will clash at the box office with Toxic.
For now, the actor’s legal battle takes centre stage as the court prepares to examine his plea.
