Ranveer Singh Sparks Row for Imitating Rishab Shetty at IFFI 2025
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has found himself at the centre of a controversy after he appeared to imitate Kannada actor Rishab Shetty on stage at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The incident took place during the screening of Rishab Shetty's highly-acclaimed film 'Kantara Chapter 1'.
According to eyewitnesses, Ranveer Singh mistakenly referred to the film's central character, 'daiva', as a 'female ghost' during his introduction. The term 'daiva' holds significant cultural and spiritual meaning in the context of the film and the local community it represents.
Rishab Shetty, who was present at the event, expressed his disappointment and frustration with Ranveer Singh's actions. In a statement, he said: "I was taken aback by Ranveer's comments. The term 'daiva' is deeply rooted in our culture and tradition, and it's not something that can be reduced to a simple concept like a 'female ghost'."
The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Kannada film enthusiasts and fans expressing their outrage and disappointment at Ranveer Singh's lack of cultural sensitivity. Rishab Shetty's fans have also taken to social media to defend their favourite actor and express their admiration for his work.
The incident has raised questions about the importance of cultural respect and sensitivity in the entertainment industry. It remains to be seen how Ranveer Singh will address the controversy and whether he will take steps to educate himself about the cultural context of the film.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ranveer Singh said: "Ranveer Singh is a great admirer of Rishab Shetty's work and has always been a fan of his films. He is deeply sorry for any unintentional disrespect he may have caused and is committed to learning more about the cultural context of the film."
