In recent days, Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi stirred controversy with his comments about Prabhas’ character in the newly released film, “Kalki 2898 AD,” referring to him as a ‘joker’. The remarks quickly went viral, prompting reactions from various industry figures and fans alike. Now, the film’s director Nag Ashwin has broken his silence over the contentious issue.
Responding to the uproar, Nag Ashwin engaged with fans on social media, emphasizing the need for unity in the Indian film industry. In a tweet reply to a fan who suggested that a particular scene in “Kalki 2898 AD” was superior to the entirety of Bollywood, Ashwin urged against creating divisions between the North Indian (Bollywood) and South Indian (Tollywood) film industries.
“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 ok..sending buji toys 4 his kids..il work hard so tweets fdfs that Prabhas was the best ever in k2💪,” Ashwin tweeted.
Ashwin’s remarks underscore his disapproval of Warsi’s comments while also striving to mend fences. He revealed that he was sending Bujji toys, which are companion AI droids from the film, to Arshad Warsi’s children. Additionally, Ashwin committed to working diligently on the next film to ensure even harsher critics would be impressed with Prabhas’ portrayal in the sequel to “Kalki 2898 AD”.
Engaging further with his followers, Ashwin addressed another tweet, expressing a plea for positivity amid widespread 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…❤️” he shared.
The controversy initially erupted during a podcast where Arshad Warsi expressed his disappointment over Prabhas’ characterization in the ambitious sci-fi film. “Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) was unbelievable. 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?)“ Warsi lamented.
This remark didn’t sit well with fans and industry peers. Prominent actors like Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Nani, and Sudheer Babu, along with director Ajay Bhupathi, voiced their displeasure with Warsi’s assessment. Vishnu Manchu, president of the Movie Artists Association (MAA), even wrote a letter to Poonam Dhillon, president of CINETAA, condemning Warsi’s statement.
“Kalki 2898 AD,” boasting an all-star cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani, was released on June 27 across thousands of screens worldwide. Garnering immense anticipation, the film had recorded significant pre-release ticket sales and was made available in multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, among others.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, “Kalki 2898 AD” features the legendary Amitabh Bachchan as the immortal Ashwatthama and Prabhas as Bhairava, a bounty hunter. Kamal Haasan steps into the role of Supreme Yaskin, while Deepika Padukone plays Sumathi. The film is a visual spectacle with cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic and auditory grandeur provided by composer Santhosh Narayanan. The precise editing is the work of Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.
Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, “Kalki 2898 AD” celebrated a milestone 50 days in theaters this past Independence Day. Impressively, within just 16 days post-release, the film crossed the ₹1000 crore mark at the global box office.
As the ‘jokergate’ saga slowly simmers down, it leaves behind a poignant reminder of the intended unity within the expansive, culturally rich, and diverse Indian cinema. The reactions from various corners of the industry underscore the wider sentiment favoring cohesion over division, mirroring Ashwin’s call for a unified front, setting aside regional differences for the love of storytelling and cinema.
