Tollywood & Bollywood News / Feb 24, 2026 Bollywood star Ranveer Singh has faced a legal setback in the ongoing Kantara controversy as the Karnataka High Court turned down his plea for an urgent hearing regarding criminal proceedings filed against him.

The case stems from an incident at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, where Ranveer reportedly mimicked elements related to the Kantara film’s Daiva tradition while praising Rishab Shetty’s performance a gesture that some people felt hurt religious sentiments associated with the sacred Panjurli/Guliga Daiva tradition of coastal Karnataka.

After a private complaint led to a FIR being registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Ranveer approached the Karnataka High Court seeking to quash the FIR, arguing that his mimicry was meant as appreciation and admiration for the film, not disrespect.

However, when his legal team requested an urgent same-day hearing, the bench denied the plea, emphasising that celebrity status should not result in preferential treatment and that normal court procedures must be followed. The matter has now been scheduled for regular hearing later (February 24, 2026).

The development has sparked widespread discussions about the balance between freedom of expression and cultural sensitivity, especially when public figures engage with regional traditions in public forums.