Ranveer Singh has finally broken his silence after facing intense backlash for imitating a sacred Daiva ritual from Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 during the IFFI closing ceremony in Goa.

The actor issued a public apology on Tuesday, saying he never intended to hurt cultural or religious sentiments.

Ranveer drew criticism after a video went viral showing him mimicking the Daiva possession sequence while on stage with actor-director Rishab Shetty. During his speech, he referred to the revered Chamundi Daiva as a “female ghost,” which sparked strong reactions online.

Netizens and members of the Tulu community called the act disrespectful, particularly because the Daiva tradition is considered sacred in coastal Karnataka and is performed barefoot according to long-held rituals.

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The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) later filed an official complaint, further intensifying the controversy.

Daiva: Cultural significance

At the heart of the backlash lies the misinterpretation of the Daiva concept. In Tulu Nadu culture, the Daiva is revered as a semi-god spirit or deity, not a ghost. The Dhaivaradhane ritual holds deep spiritual value, and Ranveer’s on-stage imitation was widely viewed as an affront to this tradition.

Reports also suggest that Rishab Shetty politely signalled Ranveer to stop when he attempted to reenact the scene again backstage—an indication of the ritual’s sensitivity.

Actor explains his intentions

Following days of public criticism, Ranveer posted an official apology on Instagram on the morning of December 2.

His statement read:

“My intention was to highlight Rishab'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. I have always deeply respected every culture, tradition, and belief in our country. If I've hurt anyone's sentiments, I sincerely apologise.”

Ranveer added that his actions were meant as a tribute to Shetty’s performance, not disrespect to any faith or region.

At IFFI, Ranveer praised Shetty’s performance, saying he had watched Kantara Chapter 1 in theatres and found the Daiva possession shot “amazing.” He then attempted to mimic the intense scene, which triggered the backlash.

After leaving the stage, he hugged Shetty and jokingly acted out the moment again, prompting Shetty to gesture politely for him to stop.