The film features Ravi Teja in the titular role of Nageswara Rao who earned notoriety for his escapes and robberies during the 70s.
Ravi Teja in Tiger Nageswara Rao. (TNRTheFilm/ X)
Ravi Teja’s upcoming movie Tiger Nageswara Rao is embroiled in a legal tangle after the Andhra Pradesh High Court raised concern over the “objectionable language” used in its teaser that belittles a particular community residing in the British-era colony of Stuartpuram.
The High Court deemed it insulting to the Yerukula community while questioning the makers as to what message the film was trying to convey.
It further raised an objection to releasing the teaser without proper clearance from The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The makers of Tiger Nageswara Rao dropped the teaser a fortnight ago.
The film features Ravi Teja in the titular role of Nageswara Rao who earned notoriety for his escapes and robberies during the 70s.
One Chukka Palraj filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that the movie has hurt the sentiments of the Yerukula community.
He further mentioned that the film damaged the reputation of the residents of Stuartpuram.
Although the community has long been de-notified of the tag of criminal tribe post-independence, the members of the community have still been facing social discrimination and prejudice in society.
Stuartpuram is a British-era settlement that was formed on the Old Grand Trunk Road in 1910 by Harold Stuart near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh.
The settlement was established for the reformation of the tribe as the then Madras government provided them land for agriculture to improve their lives.
Addressing the issue, Justice Dhanarjane stressed the need to make socially responsible films and stated that movies should not be a mere goal of money.
The bench issued notices to Tiger Nageswara Rao producer Abhishek Agarwal, including the Chairperson of CBFC as the respondent.
The next hearing on the issue will be held on 27 September.
Directed by Vamsee Krishna Naidu, the real-life story of Tiger Nageswara Rao is revered by the common folks of Stuartpuram in Krishna district due to his generosity.
Other ensemble cast include Anupam Kher, John Abraham, Jisshu Sengupta, Renu Desai, Nupur Sanon, Gayatri Bhardwaj, Renu Desai, and Bhanu Prakash. Music was composed by GV Prakash Kumar, while Madhie handled the cinematography.
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