The Daiva Dilemma: Rishab Shetty Faces Fan Backlash Over 'Mimicry' Amidst Past Criticism

Oh, the twists and turns of Bollywood controversies, they just keep on coming, don't they? It seems that what goes around often comes right back around, sometimes with a vengeance. And right now, the spotlight is shining brightly on 'Kantara' director and actor Rishab Shetty, who finds himself squarely in the crosshairs of Ranveer Singh’s fans. The reason? A rather ironic turn of events involving the sacred Daiva spirit, so central to Shetty's blockbuster film.

You might recall, not too long ago, Ranveer Singh faced a considerable public outcry. He had appeared in a commercial, where some perceived his actions as mimicking the revered Daiva, a significant and deeply spiritual figure in Tulu culture. The backlash was swift and severe, with many, including Rishab Shetty himself, voicing their strong disapproval, citing disrespect towards deeply held beliefs and cultural heritage. It was a sensitive issue, no doubt, and it certainly left a mark on public discourse about cultural appropriation in media.

Fast forward to today, and a new video has begun circulating, capturing Rishab Shetty at a promotional event for his upcoming film, 'Kantara Chapter 1 - A Legend.' In this video, Shetty is seen performing a certain walk and mannerism, which, to many, bore an uncanny resemblance to the Daiva possession sequence from 'Kantara.' And just like that, the internet erupted. Ranveer Singh's fans, who had felt the sting of past criticism, wasted no time in pointing out what they saw as blatant hypocrisy.

Social media platforms are abuzz with comments highlighting the sheer irony. "Remember when he slammed Ranveer for this?" one user might tweet, while another could chime in, "Isn't this exactly what he preached against?" It's a classic case, really, of the 'pot calling the kettle black,' or so the sentiment goes. The outrage isn't just about the act itself, but about the perceived double standard, creating a heated debate across various online forums.

However, it wouldn't be a complete picture without hearing the other side, would it? Rishab Shetty's team has since stepped forward to clarify the situation, attempting to quell the mounting criticism. They explain that what viewers witnessed was not a mimicry of Daiva at all. Instead, Shetty was embodying a character from his other upcoming project, 'Dhurandhar.' This film, a remake of the Telugu classic 'Shankarabharanam,' features Shetty in the role of an eccentric, elderly man from North Karnataka. This particular character, they insist, has a distinct walk and a peculiar way of speaking, and it was this persona, not the sacred Daiva, that Shetty was portraying.

It’s a fine line, isn’t it? Between artistic portrayal and perceived mimicry, especially when cultural and religious sensitivities are involved. This whole episode really underscores the tightrope walk creators often have to perform when bringing culturally significant elements to the screen. For now, the debate continues to simmer, leaving us to wonder just how this particular chapter of 'Kantara' controversy will conclude. One thing's for sure, the conversation around respect, representation, and artistic liberty is far from over in Indian cinema.