Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh offered an unconditional apology before Karnataka High Court over his remarks portrayal of deity Chamundi Devi in Kantara, with Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya stating he will file an affidavit and visit Chamundi temple in Mysore.
KARNATAKA: Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh offered an unconditional apology before the Karnataka High Court for his remarks about the portrayal of the deity Chamundi Devi in the film Kantara.
Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for Singh, agreed to file an affidavit of apology and to visit the Chamundi temple on Mysore’s Chamundi Hills.
Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that Singh’s comments “were not correct.”
The judge added,
“What Ranveer has done is not right. It is not supported,”
The court listed the matter for further hearing on April 10.
The case stems from a speech Singh delivered at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. While praising actor Rishab Shetty and his work in Kantara: Chapter 1, Singh referred to the Chamundi deity as a “female ghost” and imitated Shetty’s performance, which sparked controversy on social media.
Following this, an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Bengaluru ordered a magistrate investigation under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. On that basis, High Grounds Police Station registered an FIR naming Singh, with charges framed under Sections 196 (religious enmity), 299 (religious insult) and 302 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Singh told the court that his remarks were taken out of context and that he had no intention of hurting any religion or community. He noted that he had already issued an unconditional apology on social media, explaining that his comments were intended solely to praise Shetty’s performance and that he respects all cultures and traditions.
His counsel further argued that the elements required to constitute the alleged offences were absent, since there was no malicious intent, incitement to violence, or attempt to create communal disharmony.
The complainant, represented by Advocate Siji Malayil, requested an oral apology from Singh, contending that the earlier apology posted on X by his managers did not appear to be genuine.
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