Karnataka High Court Extends Order Staying Coercive Steps Against Actor Ranveer Singh Booked Over 'Kantara' Movie Mimicry

The Karnataka High Court on Monday (March 2) extended the operation of its interim order directing no coercive steps against actor Ranveer Singh booked for hurting religious sentiments of a community due to his mimicry of a character from 'Kantara: Chapter 1' movie.

The actor is stated to have mimicked a character from the 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'.

Previously 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.

During the hearing Senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for the actor, submitted before Justice M Nagaprasanna that the State has not filed objections though the de facto complainant had filed his objections to the petition. Poovayya submitted that if the State does file its response, an opportunity maybe given to the petitioner to file his reply.

The court thereafter in its order dictated, "Learned Additional SPP submits that objections would be filed in next two days. List the matter Monday (March 9). The order dated 24-2-2026 shall continue till next date of hearing".

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.

The matter is next listed on March 9.

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

CRL.P 3024/2026