Karnataka HC says Ranveer Singh can't be ‘loose tongued’, grants him interim relief in Kantara 2 mimicry row

LAst yr, worker Ranveer Singh found himself in the centre of a disputation after copping a fairish amount of unfavorable judgment for his mimicry of actor Rishab Shetty from Kantara 2. The mimicry took place at the closing ceremony of IFFI 2025, which Rishab also attended, when Ranveer took to the stage and did an exaggerated take on Rishab’s Daiva act from the Kantara films. He also erroneously referred to the daivas as ‘ghosts’. The actor had approached the Karnataka High Court to challenge the FIR registered against him.Karnataka HC says Ranveer should actor responsiblyOn Tuesday (February 24), the Karnataka HC heard the actor's plea and responded to the issue under Justice M Nagaprasanna. Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayy, who represented the actor, argued that his remarks were taken out of context and that there was no intention to hurt any community. Bar and Bench shared details from the proceedings on their X account. The Court said, "Two factors. Rishab Shetty was performing an act of a Deity. Goddess Chamundy. He may or may not be aware of religious sentiments of people. He has spoken "female ghost" and act of mimicking Rishab Shetty, would definitely hurt sentiments.... You can't be loose tongued!"The Court went on to add, “You may be Ranveer Singh or anybody. You can't be loose tongued at all! We will see if there is mens rea.. But you being an actor, you have influence on so many people. You have to be responsible. If you are speaking about a deity (you have to do your research), you cant call it a ghost. You have no right to hurt anybody's religious sentiments..You have apologised, but will your apology take back all the words? I, you, people may forget. But internet never forgets.”The Court restrained the police from taking any coercive action against the actor until March 2, in connection with the FIR filed following his mimicry of a character from the Kannada film Kantara. The Court also directed the actor to cooperate with the investigation.About the controversyOn November 28 last year, at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa, Ranveer mimicked Rishab twice. He took to the stage and, while appreciating Rishab’s performance in Kantara: Chapter 1, began making faces. Rishab stood up and requested him not to do that. Ranveer also did the same while greeting and hugging Rishab, with the Kannada actor-filmmaker asking him not to again.Ranveer had earlier shared a note of apology on the issue. It read, “My intention was to highlight Rishabh'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.”