The makers of Kantara Chapter 1, starring Rishab Shetty, have appealed to fans to avoid imitating the Daiva characters depicted in the film in public spaces.
The request comes after videos emerged showing people dressed as Daivas performing scenes from the movie in theatres and other public areas.
In an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), Hombale Films highlighted that Dhaivaradhane – the traditional Daiva worship portrayed in the film – is a sacred practice rooted in the spiritual and cultural heritage of Tulunadu, Karnataka. The filmmakers clarified that their portrayal was meant to celebrate this devotion respectfully, not to encourage imitation or casual enactment.
The statement also expressed concern that such mimicry could trivialize the belief system and hurt the religious sentiments of the Tulu community. Hombale Films urged the public to maintain the sanctity of Dhaivaradhane and act responsibly.
Kantara Chapter 1, which explores the cultural heritage of the region, was released on October 2 and has been well-received across multiple languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, and English.
