Director SS Rajamouli found himself at the center of a major religious controversy following the high-profile launch event for his upcoming film Varanasi on November 15 at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. The grand GlobeTrotter event, which was meant to unveil the highly anticipated title, teaser, and first looks of the film starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, descended into chaos after repeated technical glitches prevented the smooth screening of the teaser. Facing an audience of over 50,000 attendees who had travelled from across the globe, including from various countries, Rajamouli became visibly emotional and frustrated at the unfolding situation. The technical failures, which reportedly stemmed from insufficient power supply to the massive screen, forced the filmmaker to publicly address his frustration, leading to remarks that would soon ignite significant backlash.
The Controversial Remarks
During his address to the gathered crowd, an emotional Rajamouli made candid comments about his personal beliefs and his frustration directed toward Lord Hanuman. “I don’t have much faith in gods. This is an emotional moment for me. I don’t believe in God. My dad came and said Lord Hanuman will take care of things for 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?'” he stated. The filmmaker’s remarks were made in the heat of the moment, after facing unexpected hurdles that forced him to skip the technical testing of the event due to security concerns around drone footage leaks of unreleased content.
The statement quickly became the focal point of public discussion, with a significant section of social media users interpreting his words as disrespectful toward the Hindu deity and calling into question his right to make such comments while creating films rooted in Hindu mythology.
Legal Action and Official Complaint
Following the incident, the Rashtriya Vanara Sena, an organization advocating for Hindu religious sentiments, filed a formal police complaint against Rajamouli at the Saroornagar Police Station in Hyderabad on November 17. The complaint alleges that the filmmaker made derogatory remarks and “intentionally insulted Hindu deities” with the intention of provoking religious tension. The organization demanded strict action against the director, arguing that while he may hold atheistic beliefs personally, such comments about revered deities are wholly unacceptable.
Other groups, including the Gow Rakshak Sangh, also submitted written complaints to the police, adding to the mounting pressure on law enforcement to take action. As of the latest updates, the police confirmed they have received the complaint and are currently investigating the matter, though a formal case has not yet been registered.
The Paradox of Mythology in Rajamouli’s Cinema
The controversy has highlighted an intriguing paradox in Rajamouli’s career trajectory. Despite consistently identifying as an atheist, the director has built much of his filmmaking reputation on works deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and spiritual imagery. His critically acclaimed Baahubali franchise and the Oscar-winning RRR have both drawn extensively from Indian epic traditions and mythological narratives. The upcoming Varanasi itself continues this trend, with the teaser hinting at a time-travel narrative connected to Hindu mythology, featuring visuals of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram, and the protagonist named Rudhra.
This juxtaposition between his personal atheism and his artistic choices has intensified public reaction, with critics arguing about the contradiction between creating commercially successful films that celebrate Hindu mythology while simultaneously dismissing the deities themselves.
Public and Social Media Response
Social media has become a battleground for divided opinions on the matter. While some fans and observers have defended Rajamouli’s right to express his personal beliefs and argued that his frustration was understandable given the circumstances, others have condemned his remarks as culturally insensitive and disrespectful.
Supporters of the filmmaker have suggested that it is common for people to express frustration toward religious figures during moments of stress, viewing his outburst as a natural human reaction rather than a deliberate attack on Hindu sentiments. However, critics have countered that such statements are particularly problematic when made publicly by a prominent filmmaker with significant influence, especially at an event attended by thousands and broadcast widely online.
The Road Ahead
As the investigation continues, Rajamouli has yet to issue an official statement or public apology regarding the controversy. The Varanasi film, scheduled for a 2027 Pongal release, remains highly anticipated despite the current turbulence surrounding its director. Whether the controversy will have lasting implications for the project or Rajamouli’s reputation remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly sparked broader conversations about artistic freedom, personal beliefs, and religious sensitivity in Indian cinema.
By – Sonali