Ranveer Singh has found himself at the center of a legal controversy after a complaint alleging insult to religious sentiments during the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 was referred by the court for further action. The complaint pertains to an alleged incident at the IFFI closing ceremony held in Goa on November 28, 2025, where the actor is accused of mocking an iconic deity of the Bhoot Kola tradition of coastal Karnataka.

According to the complaint, the incident took place on stage in the presence of the lead actor. Kantara: Chapter 1. The complainant, a devotee of Chavundi Daiva – the guardian spirit worshiped in Bhoot Kola rituals and his family deity – has alleged that Ranveer Singh has imitated the divine manifestations of Panjurli/Guliga Daiva in a vulgar and comical manner. It is further alleged that the actor verbally referred to Chavundi Daiva as a “lady ghost”, which the complainant claims is extremely derogatory.

The complaint also states that despite the alleged request not to do any Daiva-related work, the actor performed an emotional scene inspired by Chavundi Daiva. Kantara: Chapter 1. The complainant has emphasized that Chavundi Daiva is not a ghost but a powerful guardian spirit who is a symbol of justice, protection and divine feminine energy, which has immense religious and cultural significance in coastal Karnataka. Describing the deity as a ghost has been considered blasphemy and a serious insult to Hindu religious beliefs.

It is alleged that the act was deliberate, deliberate and malicious, with the intention of outraging religious sentiments, insulting faith in Chavundi Daiva and promoting enmity and disharmony between different religious groups, thereby disturbing communal harmony.

The private complaint was filed by Bengaluru-based lawyer Prashant Methal before the Additional Judicial Magistrate court in Bengaluru on December 27 last year. Subsequently, on January 23 this year, the court directed the High Grounds Police to register an FIR under section 175(3) of the Indian Judicial Code (BNS). The case has been registered under sections 196, 299 and 302 of BNS.

The case has now been referred to the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in Bengaluru and is scheduled to come up for hearing on April 8.