Ranveer Singh fans defend him against Rishab Shetty's criticism: 'If Daiva was angry, why did they make Dhurandhar hit?'

Following Rishab Shetty's recent remarks in Chennai regarding the controversy surrounding Ranveer Singh's mimicry of Daivas at IFFI Goa, fans of Singh have come to his defense online.

Shetty had stated that he feels uncomfortable when anyone makes fun of the Daivas. He emphasized the sacred and sensitive nature of the daiva element, which his films 'Kantara' and 'Kantara Chapter One' introduced to a wider Indian audience. He also mentioned requesting people not to mock or perform it on stage due to its deep emotional connection.

That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. many online users interpreted Shetty's statement as an unnecessary attempt to reignite the controversy, especially since Singh had already apologized for what they considered a 'misguided and ill-judged' tribute.

One fan, sharing a news clipping of Shetty's statement, questioned, "If Daiva was angry about Ranveer Singh mimicking it, why did it make #Dhurandhar a huge hit?" The film 'Dhurandhar' has grossed ₹600 crore worldwide in just 11 days and has set new Bollywood box office records for second-weekend collections.

Other fans criticized Shetty for bringing up the issue again. One argued that Shetty, and anyone with sense, knows that Singh never had bad intentions. They questioned the use of divinity for moral policing, stating that God doesn't judge unintentional mistakes, so neither should people. Another echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that intentions matter and that it was ignorance, not malice.

Another comment questioned Shetty's authority to speak on behalf of the Daivas. One user brought the box office competition between 'Dhurandhar' and 'Kantara Chapter 1' into the discussion, suggesting that Shetty was upset that 'Dhurandhar' might break 'Kantara Chapter 1's' record, and that Singh never mocked anyone.

The controversy began two weeks prior at IFFI Goa when Singh mimicked the Daivas on stage, despite Shetty's apparent disapproval. Singh later issued an apology, stating that his intention was to highlight Shetty's performance in 'Kantara' and that he deeply respects all cultures, traditions, and beliefs in India. He apologized if he had hurt anyone's sentiments.

Since then, Singh has experienced success with 'Dhurandhar,' directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan, becoming a box office hit. A sequel is planned to release in March 2026.