Director S.S. Rajamouli has sparked a major controversy over his remarks on lord Hanuman during the trailer launch of his upcoming film Varanasi at Ramoji Film City on November 15. The celebrated filmmaker, known for global blockbusters such as Baahubali and RRR, drew criticism from a section of social media users who accused him of “insulting” a revered deity.
Technical glitch triggers frustration
The grand trailer launch event, attended by media personnel, film critics from India and abroad, and the film’s cast and crew, was disrupted after the trailer failed to play because of a technical problem. According to Rajamouli, generators at the venue were unable to supply adequate power to support the giant screen, causing repeated interruptions.
The director revealed that he had chosen to skip technical testing before the event, stating that the team was attempting to prevent unauthorised drone recordings that could potentially leak visuals of the trailer. This decision, he admitted, carried a risk that ultimately materialised, resulting in a significant delay and confusion during the event.
“I felt let down”: Rajamouli’s remarks draw anger
While addressing the crowd after the glitch, an emotional Rajamouli said he was upset by the unexpected disruption. He spoke about how his father had told him that lord Hanuman would guide him during difficult moments. Rajamouli then shared that he had expressed frustration at the deity when the technical failure occurred.
He said, “I don’t have much faith in gods. My father had earlier said that Hanuman will guide me. After the glitch happened, I raised my voice at him, saying, ‘Is this how he leads me?’ My wife is a big admirer of Hanuman. She treats the god like her friend and talks to him. I expressed my anger at her too, saying, ‘Is this how he does things?’”
Clips of the speech quickly went viral, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) accusing the filmmaker of “mocking” Hindu beliefs and demanding an apology. Several urged people to boycott the upcoming film, arguing that Rajamouli’s comments were “disrespectful”.
Social media divided
While a section of users criticised the filmmaker sharply, others defended him, saying that getting upset with a deity in stressful moments is a fairly common emotional reaction. Some pointed out that Rajamouli made the remarks in a personal, candid manner, and did not intend to hurt sentiments.
Supporters also highlighted that technical glitches are unpredictable and can cause anxiety, especially during high-profile events with global attention.
Chaos at a high-stakes launch
The Varanasi trailer launch was planned as a large-scale event, with widespread anticipation owing to Rajamouli’s track record and the film’s star-studded cast. Visual disruptions and power issues, however, derailed the screening multiple times, forcing organisers to intervene repeatedly.
According to the director, despite elaborate arrangements, the inability of the equipment to handle the high-resolution trailer caused the unexpected breakdown. The technical failure prompted murmurs among the crowd and resulted in a visibly tense atmosphere before the event resumed.
About ‘Varanasi’
Slated for release in 2027, Varanasi features an ensemble cast including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film is one of the most ambitious projects announced in recent years and has been in the news for its scale, themes, and production timeline.
- Mahesh Babu plays Rudra,
- Prithviraj Sukumaran essays Kumbha,
- Priyanka Chopra portrays Mandakini.
The film is expected to involve extensive visual effects and long production schedules, similar to Rajamouli’s earlier works.
Controversy unlikely to fade soon
While Rajamouli has not issued a formal statement in response to the backlash, the debate over his comments continues to grow online. Political and religious groups have also begun weighing in, adding pressure on the filmmaker to clarify his remarks.
Given Rajamouli’s stature and the scale of Varanasi, the controversy is likely to remain in public discourse in the coming days, even as the team prepares for the next leg of promotions.