Bollywood Actor Ranveer Singh Approaches Karnataka High Court to Quash FIR Over 'Kantara' Remarks

Bengaluru. Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has knocked on the doors of the Karnataka High Court seeking the quashing of an FIR and a private complaint filed against him in Bengaluru. The matter reached the court after a complaint was filed against him alleging that his comments regarding the acclaimed film 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and actor Rishab Shetty's performance hurt religious sentiments. 

Ranveer has filed a petition in the High Court challenging the FIR registered at the High Grounds Police Station in Bengaluru and the complaint pending before the Magistrate Court. Ranveer Singh's legal team appeared before the bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna of the High Court on Monday. 

During the hearing, Ranveer's lawyer demanded an immediate hearing in the case. He claimed that Ranveer only praised the film and the actor and that his statement was misinterpreted. However, the court questioned the reason for an immediate hearing. 

The bench ordered him to present a concrete basis for an immediate hearing, asking, 'Why the rush just because the petitioner is a Bollywood actor?' Following the lawyer's argument that an immediate hearing was necessary as the police had already issued two notices, the court scheduled the hearing for Tuesday.

The dispute originated last year at the International Film Festival of India held in Goa. At that event, Ranveer praised Rishab Shetty's performance in 'Kantara' and mentioned an instance where a woman's soul entered a body. 

However, the complainant, advocate Prashanth Methal, alleged that Ranveer insulted Goddess Chaundeshwari by calling her a 'female ghost,' thereby hurting the faith of Hindus. After the police initially refused to accept the complaint, Methal filed a private complaint in court, based on which the police initiated an investigation under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Ranveer Singh had already apologized for the matter on social media prior to this. He clarified that his intention was only to honor the actor's performance and that he had no intention of insulting any culture or tradition.