Rishab Shetty Speaks Out on Kantara Daiva Ritual Amid Ongoing Debate
Rishab Shetty Speaks Out on Kantara Daiva Ritual Amid Ongoing Debate
Actor-director Rishab Shetty has voiced his firm discomfort over the imitation and mockery of the Daiva ritual showcased in his film Kantara. Emphasising the spiritual weight the tradition carries, Shetty stated that casual recreations of the ritual deeply unsettle him, as it goes far beyond cinematic performance.
Sharing his thoughts, Shetty said that while Kantara includes dramatic elements typical of cinema, the Daiva aspect is profoundly sacred. “It makes me uneasy. The Daiva ritual is not just a performance for us; it is a living belief. Wherever I travel, I sincerely request people not to replicate it on stage or turn it into a joke. It is emotionally and spiritually rooted in our lives,” he expressed. – Rishab Shetty Speaks Out on Kantara Daiva Ritual Amid Ongoing Debate
The filmmaker also highlighted the meticulous effort taken by the Kantara team to depict regional traditions truthfully. He revealed that the makers conducted in-depth research and consulted individuals closely associated with the ritual to ensure it was portrayed with integrity. According to Shetty, the Daiva worship shown in the film represents a centuries-old faith intrinsic to the culture of coastal Karnataka, not a fictional or decorative sequence.
Shetty further appealed to audiences to look beyond surface-level entertainment and recognise the emotional and cultural layers attached to such rituals. He stressed that treating sacred practices as mere acts to imitate strips them of their true essence. – Rishab Shetty Speaks Out on Kantara Daiva Ritual Amid Ongoing Debate
While Shetty refrained from naming anyone directly, his remarks surfaced soon after actor Ranveer Singh faced online criticism for allegedly mimicking the Daiva performance at a recent public event. Several netizens termed the act insensitive, sparking a wider conversation on cultural respect. Adding to the discourse, Shetty himself faced trolling after videos showed him smiling during the performance, with critics questioning his reaction.
Despite the mixed reactions, Shetty’s message has found strong support among fans and cultural commentators, many of whom echoed his call for greater sensitivity toward traditions that hold significance far deeper than cinema or spectacle.
Rishab Shetty Speaks Out on Kantara Daiva Ritual Amid Ongoing Debate
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