Meanwhile, the Telugu film fraternity criticised Arshad Warsi, saying, "Constructive criticism is welcome instead of bad-mouthing."
Published Aug 21, 2024 | 5:33 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2024 | 5:33 PM
SS Rajamouli's statement that 'Hrithik Roshan is nothing compared to Prabhas' resurfaces amid Arshad Warsi's remark. (X)
The debate between Bollywood and South Indian cinema heated up after Arshad Warsi criticised Prabhas as a “joker” in Nag Ashwin’s latest directorial Kalki 2898 AD. While many supported his comment, Prabhas’s fans took issue with it.
Additionally, an old video of SS Rajamouli resurfaced, where he previously stated that Hrithik Roshan was no match for Prabhas.
In the video, from an audio release event, the filmmaker questioned if Telugu cinema could ever match Bollywood’s quality.
He noted that after seeing Billa (2009), directed by Meher Ramesh, and its promotional material, he felt Prabhas surpassed Hrithik Roshan and praised Meher Ramesh for elevating Telugu cinema’s quality.
Rajamouli, now a major force in Indian cinema, once wondered if his films could rival Bollywood’s in scale and quality.
The tables have since turned, with South Indian films like RRR (2022) and KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) achieving global success, while Bollywood films struggle to match their box office performance.
At the same event, Allu Arjun echoed Rajamouli’s praise for Prabhas, emphasising his admiration for Prabhas’s looks and skills.
In response to the backlash, one user tweeted that Rajamouli’s remarks could vindicate Arshad Warsi’s critique, arguing that Hrithik Roshan’s talents exceed those of Prabhas.
Another video showed Allu Arjun defending Rajamouli’s statement and asserting Prabhas’s superiority.
South Indian celebrities and media have come in support of #PRABHAS against #ArshadWarsi’s Joker comment on his role in #Kalki2898AD.
For all those remind you what rajamouli said about #HrithikRoshan
If he is wrong then what about @ssrajamouli ???pic.twitter.com/1jRikcsfxM
— Real Box office™ (@Real_Box_0ffice) August 20, 2024
#HrithikRoshan and #ShahRukhKhan fans crying on #Rajamouli for his statement ” Hrithik is nothing in front of #Prabhas “
Where as #AlluArjun clarifying that What Rajamouli said is 100% correct 🤣 dekhlo bhdks 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/12r4uwdgR7
— The OG Rebels 👑 (@The_OG_Rebel) August 20, 2024
Arshad Warsi, in a recent podcast, expressed disappointment with Prabhas’s performance in Kalki 2898 AD, comparing it unfavourably to Mel Gibson in Mad Max (2015).
Meanwhile, Tollywood actor Sudheer Babu took to Instagram to lash out at Arshad Warsi for his objectionable comment against Prabhas. Sudheer Babu said, “It’s okay to criticise constructively but it’s never okay to bad-mouth. Never expected the absence of professionalism from Arshad Warsi. Prabhas’s stature is too big for comments from small minds.”
Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s reaction to Arshad Warsi’s comments on Prabhas. (Instagram)
Tillu Square (2024) actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda, too, shared his thoughts after Arshad Warsi’s remark. In his Instagram story, Siddhu wrote felt that everyone has a right to opinion but we express it matters. “We are all game for some constructive criticism but terms like ‘joker’ don’t exactly scream the same.”
He described Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD as a pride of Indian cinema and noted that Prabhas’s stardom is beyond success “because his failures make more money than we can fathom.”
Siddhu Jonnalagadda ended the statement, saying, “Here at Telugu cinema, we respect anyone’s right to opinion, provided the mode of delivery is mindful. Let’s have some mutual respect here please.”
RX100 (2018)–fame director Ajay Bhupathi noted that there’s a limit and a way to express one’s opinion.
During a press meet organised for his upcoming film Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, actor Nani was asked about Arshad Warsi’s comments. He replied that the Bollywood actor was getting the “most publicity” of his life because of his comments.
“The person that you’re referring to, this must be the most publicity he has got in his life. You are unnecessarily glorifying an unimportant matter,” Nani was quoted by Indian Express.
Reflecting on the neverending North vs South cinema debate, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, while promoting Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023), praised the diminishing language barriers in film.
She stated, “It’s an exciting time as we move past traditional views of cinema. People now show interest in films from all regions, and our cinema is recognised nationwide.”
R Madhavan, promoting his directorial debut Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022), dismissed efforts to analyse the success of South films in Hindi-speaking markets. He argued that searching for a formula is futile because success is unpredictable.
“If a formula existed, we’d all use it, but the industry always evolves. While I hope future films continue to succeed, predicting audience reactions remains difficult,” Madhavan observed.
Time and again, celebrities from the North have praised the content produced in the South.
Bollywood filmmaker Rohit Shetty addressed the debate by stating that the success of South Indian films does not spell the end for Bollywood. He believes both North and South films can thrive independently without competing against each other.
Karan Johar noted that the success of South films like RRR, KGF: Chapter 2, and Pushpa: The Rise (2021) “raised the bar for Indian cinema” and inspired the industry to aim higher.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
