HC tells Bengaluru police not to take coercive steps against Ranveer Singh over Kantara mimicry row: ‘Superstar is not ooper law’

BENGALURU: The high court Tuesday passed a conditional ad interim order directing city police against taking any coercive steps against actor Ranveer Singh, subject to the condition that he cooperates with their investigation. The respondents were told to file their objections by Monday, the next date of hearing.

The actor had filed a petition before the court, challenging the FIR registered against him for his mimicry of a character from the Kannada film ‘Kantara: Chapter 1'.


"A superstar is not ‘ooper' (above) law. You have no right to hurt people's sentiments. Being an actor, you influence people. Being a superstar, you must be responsible in making statements. You cannot be loose-tongued at all," Justice M Nagaprasanna orally observed.

This was after senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, appearing for Ranveer, submitted that the petitioner had made a completely insensitive, reckless statement and tendered an apology immediately for mimicking Chamundi Daiva. He claimed the order passed by the magistrate lacked application of mind. "I may forget, you may forget, and people may forget. The internet never forgets," Justice Nagaprasanna responded.

On the other hand, the complainant's counsel submitted that it was a "shoot and scoot" attempt on the part of the petitioner. The episode unfolded during a promotion event of Ranveer's film ‘Dhurandhar' at the International Film Festival of India held in Goa last Nov. On stage, Ranveer allegedly mimicked actor Rishab Shetty's portrayal of the deity in the movie ‘Kantara: Chapter 1'. High Grounds police in Bengaluru registered the FIR based on a complaint by Prashant Methal, a resident of HBR Layout.

In his petition, Ranveer claimed the entire complaint had failed to disclose the commission of any offence at his instance. He contended that the Jan 23, 2026 order of the magistrate court directing the registration of FIR also suffered from non-application of mind. He further argued that police had registered the FIR without a proper inquiry.

Ranveer submitted that he had already tendered an unconditional apology, adding that he respects all cultures, traditions, and communities in the country and has no intention of spreading hatred against any community.