Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has apologised for a verbal mistake during a Dussehra celebration in Kolkata, clarifying that he intended to say truth and goodness would ultimately prevail over evil. He addressed the incident in Chennai on October 21, a day after his speech at the West Bengal event attracted attention on social media.
The confusion arose when Kapoor spoke about the meaning of Dussehra on October 20. While explaining the festival’s message, he used the Hindi word ant, meaning “end”, where he intended to use jeet, meaning “victory”. His wording consequently appeared to suggest the opposite of the message he wanted to communicate.
At the Chennai event, Kapoor acknowledged the error and apologised publicly. He restated his intended message in Hindi, saying that no matter how powerful evil becomes, truth and goodness will ultimately win.
Kapoor attended a Dussehra celebration at Central Park in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on October 20. The event was organised by Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad under the theme “Ram Er Ayodhya – Ram Ki Ayodhya”. Other members of the Ramayana film team were also present.
During his address, Kapoor referred to Dussehra’s traditional message about the triumph of good over evil. However, his choice of words made it sound as though truth and goodness would ultimately come to an end.
Video clips of the speech subsequently circulated online, with social media users commenting on the wording and its apparent contradiction of the festival’s message. The episode also drew attention because Kapoor is preparing to portray Lord Rama in the upcoming film Ramayana.
The available reporting identifies the incident as a verbal slip. There is no verified evidence in the sources consulted that Kapoor intended to criticise the festival or its religious significance.
Kapoor uses a ‘Rockstar’ lyric while apologising
Kapoor addressed the mistake while attending a promotional event for Ramayana in Chennai on October 21. Alongside his apology, he referred to Rockstar, his 2011 film featuring music composed by A.R. Rahman.
He quoted a line from the film’s music — “Jo bhi main kehna chahoon, barbaad karein alfaaz mere” — referring to how words can undermine what a person is trying to express. He then reiterated his apology.
The clarification put the focus back on the distinction between Kapoor’s intended message and the words he actually used. His explanation was direct: he had made a verbal error and wanted to communicate that goodness and truth ultimately triumph.
Why the incident drew attention during Ramayana promotions
Dussehra is associated with the victory of good over evil and is celebrated in different ways across India. Kapoor’s choice of words stood out because it appeared to reverse that central message.
The timing also connected the incident to his forthcoming screen portrayal of Lord Rama. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Kapoor as Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is planned as a two-part adaptation of the Indian epic.
According to the reports published on October 21 and 22, Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026. That date is a reported release schedule and could change.
For audiences in the UAE, the incident is primarily an entertainment story involving a prominent Bollywood actor and a major upcoming Indian film. Kapoor’s apology and clarification are the central confirmed developments; wider claims about public sentiment should not be inferred from individual social media posts.
Q1. Why did Ranbir Kapoor apologise for his Dussehra speech?
Kapoor apologised after using wording that appeared to suggest truth and goodness would ultimately perish instead of triumphing over evil. He said it was a slip of the tongue.
Q2. When did Ranbir Kapoor make the speech?
He delivered the speech on October 20, 2026, at a Dussehra celebration in Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Q3. When did Ranbir Kapoor apologise?
He addressed the mistake at a promotional event in Chennai on October 21, 2026.
Q4. What did Ranbir Kapoor mean to say?
He clarified that his intended message was that, regardless of how powerful evil becomes, truth and goodness ultimately prevail.
Q5. Why did the speech become popular online?
Clips circulated on social media because his wording appeared to reverse the traditional Dussehra message about the triumph of good over evil.
Q6. What song did Ranbir Kapoor reference during his apology?
He quoted a line from a song associated with his 2011 film Rockstar, which featured music by A.R. Rahman.
Q7. What role does Ranbir Kapoor play in Ramayana?
Kapoor portrays Lord Rama in director Nitesh Tiwari’s planned two-part film adaptation of the Indian epic.
Q8. When is Ramayana: Part 1 scheduled to release?
The reported worldwide theatrical release date is November 5, 2026. Readers should check official film announcements for any subsequent changes.
