Ranveer Singh visits Chamundi Temple in Mysuru, fulfils court-directed apology in Kantara row
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh visited the Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hills in Mysuru, Karnataka on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, offering prayers and seeking forgiveness before Goddess Chamundeshwari as part of a Karnataka High Court-directed resolution in the Kantara mimicry controversy. The visit marks formal closure to a months-long legal and public dispute over the actor's conduct at an international film festival.
What Happened at the Temple
Singh entered the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and performed a special puja before the deity. According to sources, the actor also undertook certain vows during the visit. Photos and videos of Singh participating in the temple rituals have since circulated widely on social media.
The Controversy: What Triggered the Case
The dispute originated several months ago at an international film festival held in Goa, where Ranveer Singh attended as a special guest alongside Kantara actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty. During a public interaction, Singh allegedly imitated a revered 'daiva' character from the film in a manner that many devotees and members of the public considered objectionable and disrespectful.
According to reports, Shetty reportedly asked Singh to stop, but the actor allegedly continued the imitation — triggering widespread outrage. Singh issued a public apology the following day, but a complaint was subsequently filed before the Karnataka High Court, alleging that the act had hurt religious sentiments.
What the Court Ordered
During the hearing, the court reportedly observed that the actor's conduct had been inappropriate. The Karnataka High Court subsequently quashed the FIR against Singh after he submitted a formal apology before the bench. As a condition of the resolution, the court directed him to visit the Chamundeshwari Temple within four weeks and seek forgiveness before the deity. Tuesday's visit fulfils that directive.
Industry Backdrop and Rumours
The development comes against a turbulent period for Singh in Bollywood. Reports indicate the actor has had a falling out with actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, despite having been chosen to replace Shah Rukh Khan in the high-profile franchise Don 3. Strong industry rumours have also circulated about an alleged informal ban on Singh within the film industry, with some observers linking the sentiment to the mimicry episode and the perceived delay in offering a formal apology to the deity.
Significance of the Resolution
The Chamundeshwari Temple is one of Karnataka's most revered shrines, and the 'daiva' tradition depicted in Kantara holds deep spiritual significance for communities along the Karnataka coast. The court-supervised resolution — combining a formal judicial apology with a temple visit — reflects the sensitivity courts have shown toward cases involving religious sentiment. With Tuesday's prayers, the legal chapter is now formally closed, though the reputational and professional fallout for Singh is likely to take longer to settle.