The world of cinema often sees artists drawing inspiration from different cultures and traditions. However, a recent incident involving Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and his actions concerning the portrayal of Daivas—the divine spirits revered in the coastal Karnataka tradition of Bhoota Kola—sparked a significant conversation about cultural respect and representation.
This discussion gained particular traction following comments made by Kannada director and actor Rishab Shetty, whose film Kantara brought the Daiva and Bhoota Kola practice to a global audience.
To understand the controversy, it’s essential to first appreciate what Bhoota Kola and Daivas mean to the people of Tulu Nadu- coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala. Bhoota Kola is not simply a performance; it is a sacred ritual where a chosen person, after rigorous preparation and spiritual conditioning, embodies the Daiva. The Daiva is believed to temporarily possess the performer, offering divine guidance, resolving conflicts, and protecting the village.
Daivas are considered deities, not characters for light entertainment. The ritual involves intense spirituality and adherence to strict protocols, with the performer entering a state of trance. The depiction in Rishab Shetty’s Kantara was praised for treating the Daiva with the reverence and seriousness it deserves.
The core of the issue lies in a warning that Rishab Shetty had reportedly issued, either publicly or within industry circles, about the sensitive nature of mimicking or using the Daiva’s appearance for casual, non-reverent, or commercial purposes.
Shetty, who invested deeply in the subject for Kantara, was very vocal about ensuring the sanctity of the tradition. His message was clear: do not treat the Daiva as a costume or a comical impersonation. This was a plea to his peers to handle the culture with care. He had stressed that any casual imitation risks trivializing a deep-rooted religious practice and could be seen as an insult to the community that holds the Daivas sacred.
The controversy flared up when Ranveer Singh appeared in a manner that many interpreted as a light-hearted imitation or casual use of the Daiva’s aesthetics, particularly the facial painting and aggressive, intense look associated with the possessed performer.
Ultimately, the incident serves as a significant case study on the responsibility that public figures, especially those in the vast Indian film industry, have when engaging with diverse regional cultures.
The message is that authenticity and respect must always take precedence over mere visual inspiration. While Ranveer Singh is known for his enthusiastic and flamboyant style, the Daiva is a boundary that, according to Rishab Shetty and the devotees of Bhoota Kola, should not be crossed for entertainment purposes. To know such updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
