Kantara's Rishab Shetty Takes Subtle Dig At Ranveer Singh, Amid Daiva Controversy, 'It Is Sacred...'

The 2022 movie, Kantara and the 2025 film, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, are not just epic mythological action films but a pure emotion for the South Indian people. The blockbuster hits are directed and written by Rishab Shetty. However, recently Ranveer Singh found himself at the centre of controversy after he mimicked the iconic Daiva sequence from the film at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Now, days after the controversy, Rishab has reacted to it.

Rishab Shetty reacts to the Daiva controversy involving Ranveer Singh

According to a report by Hindustan Times, the Kantara fame, Rishab Shetty, reacted to the Daiva controversy involving Ranveer Singh in a recent event in Chennai. It is noteworthy to mention that Rishab was also present at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, when Bollywood actor, Ranveer Singh mimicked his Daiva character. Rishab highlighted that as a person from the film fraternity, it is their responsibility to offer a cinematic experience to the audience, but when it comes to an element like Daiva, one should be truly authentic and respectful. 

Without mentioning Ranveer’s name, Rishab mentioned that as the Daiva element is sensitive and sacred, he requested the people not to perform it on stage or mock it. Rishab shared that whenever someone mimics the character, it makes him uncomfortable. He was quoted as saying:

"That makes me uncomfortable. While much of the film is cinema and performance, the daiva element is sensitive and sacred. Wherever I go, I request people not to perform it on stage or mock it. It is emotionally deeply connected to us.  It is emotionally deeply connected to us."

Ranveer Singh issued a public apology amid the Daiva controversy

Ranveer Singh faced extreme backlash for mimicking the Kantara God. Following the huge criticism, on December 2, 2025, the Dhurandhar actor took to his Instagram Stories and issued a public apology. In the note, Ranveer highlighted that he holds immense respect for every culture and tradition. He mentioned that his intention was just to highlight Rishab’s stellar performance on-screen. The apology note shared by Ranveer can be read as:

"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 Singh's fans come to his defence after Rishab Shetty's subtle dig at him

Soon after Rishab Shetty reacted to the Daiva controversy involving Ranveer Singh, the Dhurandhar star’s fans came to his defence. An X user wrote, "If Daiva was angry about Ranveer Singh mimicking it, why did it make #Dhurandhar a huge hit?" A few users slammed the Kantara fame for bringing up the matter days after the controversy. A user wrote, "Rishabh and anyone with even an iota of sense know Ranveer never had any bad intentions at heart. I really don’t get how people use divinity to moral police other people! God never judges us for unintentional mistakes, so why do we?" 

Another user penned, "Intentions matter. It was ignorance, not vile intentions." A third user wrote, "Nobody gave Rishab Shetty a special authority to mimic Daivanarthaka." A user compared Dhurandhar and Kantara’s box office competition and penned, "He is mad because Dhurandhar might break Kantara Chapter 1's record. Ranveer never mocked anyone." It is noteworthy to mention that Dhurandhar made Rs. 600 crore worldwide in just 11 days. According to a report by Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 made Rs. 614 crore worldwide in 11 days.

What are your thoughts on Rishab Shetty's reaction? Let us know.

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