Ranveer Singh, known for his exuberant personality, recently found himself in the midst of both adoration and controversy following his appearance at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) closing ceremony in Goa. While promoting his upcoming film Dhurandhar, the actor also sparked a social media frenzy, drawing both praise from his wife, Deepika Padukone, and criticism for a perceived cultural misstep.
Deepika Padukone's playful comment, "Oh Soo Edible," on Ranveer Singh's IFFI look, quickly went viral, showcasing the couple's lighthearted dynamic. This public display of affection charmed fans and added a touch of glamour to the event.
However, the actor's appearance at IFFI wasn't without controversy. During the event on Friday, November 28, 2025, while appreciating Rishab Shetty's performance in Kantara: Chapter 1, Ranveer referred to the Chamundi Daiva as a "female ghost" and imitated the film's climax scene on stage. This sparked immediate backlash from social media users who deemed his comments insensitive and disrespectful to the sacred Tulunad Daivaradhane beliefs.
Critics online voiced their disappointment, with some calling Ranveer's actions a mockery of a divine figure. One user wrote, "Now Bollywood mocking Deity scene from Kantara movie. Actor Ranveer Singh mimicked Daiva scene from Kantara at IFFI, Goa & Daiva a female ghost...it's really insensitive & intentional MOCKING!”. Another user expressed that Ranveer was "literally mocking Daiva Chavundi possession in Kantara. How low these movie stars can go for fame, money with zero respect for sacred Tulunad Daivaradhane beliefs".
Sources indicate that Rishab Shetty, who was present at the event, requested Ranveer to refrain from mimicking the Daiva. Despite this request, Ranveer reportedly repeated the act on stage, further fueling the controversy. A source at IFFI stated, "Ranveer came down from the stage to greet the guests, including Rajinikanth and Rishab. The moment he saw Rishab, he got excited and began mimicking the Daiva, which Rishab asked him to stop — though politely. But Ranveer went back on stage and repeated it".
This incident occurred weeks after Hombale Films, the production company behind Kantara, urged fans not to imitate Daiva rituals, emphasizing that Dhaivaradhane is a sacred tradition rooted in deep spiritual belief.
On a brighter note, Ranveer attended the IFFI closing ceremony to promote Dhurandhar, an upcoming Hindi-language spy action thriller. He expressed his hope that the film would represent Indian cinema on the global stage. The film's romantic track, "Gehra Hua," was showcased during the ceremony. Ranveer described Dhurandhar as a "very complex story, but with a whole lot of visual spectacle". Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, is slated for release on December 5, 2025.
