Mumbai: The closing ceremony of IFFI 2025 in Goa turned unexpectedly controversial after a video of Ranveer Singh began doing the rounds online. The actor, who was present and accompanied by filmmaker and actor Rishab Shetty, complimented Kantara Chapter 1 but made a comment that has not been well received by the social media.
During his speech, Ranveer Singh complimented Rishab’s intense performance and specifically mentioned the film’s climax scene. But the moment he referred to Chamundi daiva as a “female ghost” and went on to imitate the scream from the scene, the atmosphere on the internet changed completely.
Internet Users Call Ranveer Singh’s Remark “Insensitive”
What seemed like a lighthearted comment at the ceremony soon snowballed into a full-blown controversy. Many Kannadigas and fans of the Kantara franchise called Ranveer Singh’s words disrespectful, pointing out that the daiva is a revered goddess, not a ghost.
The actor was mentioned in comments all over, and users accused him of being culturally insensitive. One user wrote that it was “extremely disrespectful for people from the South” while another questioned how a mainstream actor could be so careless. Several also pointed out that Ranveer’s wife Deepika Padukone belongs to the same region where the daiva tradition is rooted, urging him to be more aware.
Rishab Shetty Stays Silent as Clip Goes Viral
In the video, Rishab Shetty is seen laughing at the moment, but he did not address the comment during the event. The director of the film, Kantara Chapter 1, and a lead actor in the prequel, has kept his silence to date, leaving fans curious about whether he will eventually respond.
Kantara Chapter 1 Continues Its Impact
Kantara Chapter 1, directed by and starring Rishab Shetty, has remained a strong cultural and box office force. The prequel to the 2022 blockbuster explores the roots of the daiva tradition and the ancestral conflicts referenced in the original story. Jayaram, Rukmini Vasanth and Gulshan Devaiah also appear in the film. It became the highest grossing film of 2025 with a worldwide collection of ₹851.93 crore, making its legacy even more powerful for fans who demand respect for its themes.
Growing Calls for Apology Ahead of Dhurandhar Release
As the video keeps going viral, the pressure on Ranveer to give an apology has grown. Many social media users insist that he should address the hurt caused and clarify his intention behind the comment.
This controversy has emerged at a sensitive time for the actor, as his next film Dhurandhar is set to hit theatres on December 5. In the film, Ranveer Singh plays a rugged action driven character. The movie, directed by Aditya Dhar, also stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan and Arjun Rampal.
For now, all eyes are on whether Ranveer Singh will speak up and attempt to calm the growing outrage. The moment of praise in IFFI has evolved to a cultural debate, and it is not going to clear until the actor responds.
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