The Bollywood star has officially moved the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash an FIR and criminal proceedings initiated against him for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by mimicking a sacred Daiva ritual from Rishab Shetty's film Kantara: Chapter 1.
However, his legal team's attempt to fast-track the case hit a major roadblock in court yesterday (Monday, Feb 23).
Here is the complete breakdown of the ongoing legal drama.
The Courtroom Drama: "Why An Urgent Hearing?" ⚖️
The Plea: Ranveer's legal team approached the bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna, requesting an urgent, same-day hearing to quash the FIR, noting that the police had already issued two notices to the actor which were causing him "undue stress."
The Judge's Rebuke: The court flatly refused the request for expedited treatment. Justice Nagaprasanna pointedly asked:
"Why should an urgent hearing be held? Is it because the petitioners are Bollywood actors? If they are from Hollywood, should the hearing be held now?"
The Status: With no immediate relief granted, the petition has been listed for a detailed hearing today (Tuesday, Feb 24).
The Backstory: What Did Ranveer Do? 🎬
The Incident: The controversy stems from the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa back in November 2025.
The Mimicry: While praising actor-director Rishab Shetty’s performance on stage, Ranveer enthusiastically attempted to mimic the iconic, divine Daiva expressions from the movie.
The Offense: The complainant, a Bengaluru-based advocate named Prashanth Methal, alleged that Ranveer mocked the sacred Daiva tradition (specifically Panjurli/Guliga Daiva) and disrespectfully referred to the deity as a "female ghost" and "devil."
The FIR: Following a magistrate court's order in January 2026, the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru registered an FIR under Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 299 (religious insult), and 302 (public mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Defense: "Appreciation Given a Criminal Colour" 🛡️
Ranveer's lawyers argued in their petition that his actions were purely out of admiration for Rishab Shetty's acting and the film's narrative.
They contended that his sincere praise has been maliciously taken out of context and given a "criminal colour."
It was also highlighted that Ranveer had already issued a public apology shortly after the incident went viral, clarifying that he had no intention of hurting any cultural or religious sentiments.
SantaBanta Verdict:
Ranveer Singh is known for his boundless, unfiltered energy, but this incident proves that on a public platform, enthusiasm can easily cross the line into cultural insensitivity. The High Court's refusal to grant an urgent hearing sends a clear message: the law doesn't care about your celebrity status. All eyes are now on today's hearing!
