Kantara Daiva acts controversy: Why Rishab Shetty, Tulu community are hurt

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 has stormed the box office since its release on October 2, earning both critical acclaim and audience devotion for its authentic portrayal of Tulunadu’s sacred Daiva traditions. However, the film’s soaring popularity has now sparked controversy, as some fans have begun imitating the sacred Daiva possession rituals in theatres — acts that have deeply hurt both Shetty and the Tulu community.

Fans re-enact sacred Daiva rituals in theatres

Viral videos from cinema halls in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka show fans dressing as Daiva and performing possession sequences from the film. In one instance, a fan in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, performed the ritual inside Uma Rajendraa theatre, while another incident outside Bengaluru’s Anjan Theatre showed a fan mimicking the sacred trance scene.

These imitations, though intended as admiration, have drawn sharp criticism online. Many from the Tulu community have condemned the acts, calling them a trivialisation of centuries-old spiritual traditions.

The sacred roots of Daiva worship

Daiva worship, or Dhaivaradhane, is an ancient ritual tradition from coastal Karnataka’s Tulunadu region. It involves invoking divine spirits through dance and trance, symbolising a living connection between the divine and the devotees. In Kantara, these rituals were carefully depicted to convey their spiritual depth and emotional gravity, not for entertainment value.

For devotees, Daiva is not a performance — it is a sacred embodiment of faith, heritage, and community identity.

Rishab Shetty appeals for respect

Speaking exclusively to India Today Digital, Rishab Shetty expressed disappointment over fans reenacting Daiva rituals. “We treated the depiction of Daiva with utmost care. Every time we performed those scenes, we took blessings of the Daiva. What is shown in the film is sacred — it should not be distorted or imitated,” he said.

He urged fans to appreciate Kantara as cinema without misrepresenting its spiritual essence. “When people imitate these rituals for fun or social media, it deeply hurts our sentiments. Please remember, what we have portrayed is our living tradition,” Shetty added.

Hombale Films issues a statement

Hombale Films, the production house behind Kantara: Chapter 1, echoed Shetty’s sentiments. In a public appeal, the studio stated that Dhaivaradhane is a “profound symbol of faith and cultural pride” and should never be mimicked or trivialised.

Their statement read: “Daiva worship, as depicted in our film, is rooted in deep spiritual tradition and not intended for performance or casual imitation. Such acts hurt the religious sentiments of the Tulu community. We request everyone to uphold the sanctity of this invaluable cultural heritage.”

The team urged viewers to celebrate the film’s artistic success while maintaining respect for the faith that inspired it.

The takeaway

The controversy serves as a reminder that cinematic art inspired by real traditions must be viewed with cultural sensitivity. Kantara: Chapter 1 was created to honour the spiritual roots of Tulunadu, not to transform them into trends.