Recently, Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi’s remarks about Prabhas’ role in the much-discussed film Kalki 2898 AD have generated significant buzz. During a podcast, Warsi expressed his disappointment with Prabhas’ portrayal in the film, calling his character a “joker.” Warsi’s critique, which highlighted his desire for a grittier performance akin to Mel Gibson’s in Mad Max, quickly went viral, stirring a whirlwind of reactions.
Warsi stated, “Prabhas, I am really sad. Why was he… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana diya yaar. Kyu karte hain aisa mujhe nahin samajh mein aata (What did you make him? Why do they do such things?)” His comments did not go unnoticed, with many taking to social media to express their displeasure.
In response to the controversy, Kalki 2898 AD’s director, Nag Ashwin, took to social media to address the issue. Ashwin, while acknowledging that Warsi could have chosen his words more carefully, urged for a shift away from divisive rhetoric. He emphasized the need to look beyond regional cinema rivalries and focus on a unified Indian film industry.
In a series of tweets, Ashwin addressed the situation with “Let’s not go backwards… no more north-south or bolly vs tolly… eyes on the bigger picture… United Indian Film Industry. Arshad saab should have chosen his words better… but it’s okay. Sending Buji toys for his kids. I’ll work hard so tweets after the sequel will praise Prabhas as the best ever in K2.”
He also responded to another tweet criticizing Warsi’s comments, expressing a desire to minimize negativity: “Too much hate in the world already bro… we can try not to add to it… I know Prabhas garu will also feel the same.”
The comment quickly drew reactions from various quarters. Telugu film stars such as Nani, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, and Sudheer Babu, along with director Ajay Bhupathi, voiced their discontent with Warsi’s remarks. Vishnu Manchu, president of the Movie Artists Association (MAA), sent a formal letter to Poonam Dhillon, president of the Cine & TV Artists Association (CINTAA), condemning Warsi’s statements.
On the other hand, Saswata Chatterjee, who played Commander Manas in the film, defended Prabhas, asserting, “Prabhas looks like a larger-than-life man. His screen presence is extraordinary. He was the best choice for this role. He is absolutely amazing in the film.”
Kalki 2898 AD, released on June 27, features an impressive ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. The film, set in a post-apocalyptic world, has garnered significant attention, crossing the ₹1000 crore mark globally within weeks of its release.
