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Bengaluru police have registered a case against actor Ranveer Singh following allegations that his performance at an international film event mocked sacred Bhoota Kola rituals, hurting the religious sentiments of devotees in Coastal Karnataka.
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Bengaluru: Bengaluru’s High Grounds police have registered a criminal case against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh after a local court ordered an investigation into a private complaint alleging that the actor insulted religious sentiments during a public event. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Wednesday after the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACJM) referred the matter to the police for inquiry.
The complaint was lodged by Prashanth Methal, a 46-year-old lawyer from Bengaluru, who claimed that Ranveer Singh’s actions during a public appearance deeply hurt the religious beliefs of devotees belonging to Coastal Karnataka. Based on the complaint, the police booked the actor under Sections 196, 299, and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with offences related to insulting religious beliefs and disturbing public harmony.
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According to the complaint, the alleged incident occurred during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held in Goa on November 28, 2025. Ranveer Singh was reportedly present on stage along with the lead actor of the film Kantara: Chapter 1, which draws inspiration from the Bhoota Kola tradition of Coastal Karnataka.
The complainant alleged that during the event, Ranveer Singh enacted or imitated aspects of Bhoota Kola—a sacred ritual practice involving spirit worship in Coastal Karnataka—in a manner described as disrespectful. He claimed that the actor’s performance mocked divine expressions associated with Panjurli and Guliga Daiva, which are revered spiritual entities in the tradition.
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Prashanth Methal stated that he is a lifelong devotee of Chavundi Daiva, a guardian spirit worshipped as part of Bhoota Kola and also his family deity. He alleged that Ranveer Singh referred to Chavundi Daiva as a “female ghost,” which he described as offensive and blasphemous. According to the complaint, Chavundi Daiva is not a ghost but a powerful divine force symbolising justice, protection, and sacred feminine energy.
The complainant further claimed that despite being requested not to perform the act, Ranveer Singh went ahead and enacted an emotional scene inspired by Kantara: Chapter 1 on an international platform. He alleged that the act was deliberate and carried out with the knowledge that it could hurt religious sentiments.
The complaint stated that videos of the alleged performance circulated widely on social media, leading to anger, emotional distress, and resentment among devotees. Methal said he became aware of the incident after seeing the viral video online and decided to pursue legal action due to the deep hurt caused to religious sentiments.
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Police have confirmed that an investigation will now be carried out to examine the allegations, the video evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. No official response from Ranveer Singh has been reported so far.
