'Mistake Has Happened': Karnataka High Court Tells Ranveer Singh Over 'Kantara' Movie Mimicry; Actor To File Apology Affidavit

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh submitted before the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (March 24) that he shall file an affidavit before the court tendering an apology with regard to his mimicry of a character in 'Kantara: Chapter 1' movie. 

The court was hearing the actor's plea to quash an FIR registered against him over his mimicry of a character in 'Kantara: Chapter 1' movie during the 56th IFFI Festival of India organised by the Government of Goa last year. In the event the petitioner is stated to have mimicked role of of actor Rishab Shetty in the movie and referred to the deity the words 'female ghost'. 

During the hearing today de-facto complainant advocate Prashant Methal submitted before Justice M Nagaprasanna that the apology by the actor was an insincere apology.

Methal said, "Ranveer Singh's apology was not a heartfelt apology...Because he has tweeted his apology from the handle run by his managers...".

At this stage senior advocate Sajan Poovayya appearing for the actor submitted, "We will file an affidavit before the court. We are offering it, my lord". 

The court at this stage orally remarked that what the actor had done was not correct. 

Meanwhile Methal said,"If Mr. Ranveer has orally called the deity a 'female ghost', then he should orally apologise for the same".

At this stage Poovayya submitted, "Your Lordship, I will file an affidavit tendering an apology". 

The court at this stage orally remarked, "You will. A mistake has happened. He should always have remorse in the matter...". The court further said that this was important because of the magnitude of power that the actor has

Methal meanwhile said that there should be genuine remorse on the actor's part adding, "Let him come to the court, your lordship...".

However Poovayya said, "I will do the exercise of tendering an apology before the court, your Lordship. Based on Your Lordship's orders, I will visit the (Chamundi Devi) temple too". 

The high court thereafter listed the matter on April 10. 

Singh's plea challenges an FIR registered on the complaint of an advocate, under Sections 196(Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 299(Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 302(Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person) of BNS 2023.

The plea further seeks quashing of a January 23 order passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate under Section 175(3) BNSS 2023 directing investigation into the complaint filed against the actor.

Earlier the high court had while staying coercive steps against the actor, had orally remarked that the actor cannot, by virtue of being a celebrity, hurt religious sentiments of a community and that he must, when making public appearances, remain cautious of his words and actions.

Case title: Ranveer Singh v/s State of Karnataka & Anr

CRL.P 3024/2026