Just days after celebrating the title reveal of his massive new film, Varanasi, acclaimed director S.S. Rajamouli has found himself at the center of a major controversy after a police complaint was filed against him for alleged derogatory remarks made about Lord Hanuman. The incident, which occurred during the film’s star-studded launch event, has sparked a fierce debate over religious sensitivity and artistic freedom.
The Controversial Comments
The remarks in question were made by Rajamouli on stage at the Varanasi event while addressing technical glitches and leaks that plagued the grand launch. His comments, delivered publicly in front of the cast, press, and thousands of fans, focused on his personal stance on faith:
“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 from behind. Is this how he takes care? Thinking of this, I am angry.”
A subsequent line, “Is he even a god?”, quickly became the central point of the controversy, with critics labeling the statement as offensive and deeply provocative.
Complaint and Public Backlash
Following the wide circulation of the video clips, several religious and cultural organizations moved swiftly to demand legal action:
- Legal Action: Organizations including Vanarasena and Gow Rakshak Sangh submitted a formal written complaint to the Saroor Nagar Police Inspector, accusing Rajamouli of “intentionally insulting Hindu deities” and delivering remarks “with the intention of provoking religious hatred.”
- Online Debate: The comments immediately caused a major schism online, with one side condemning the director for disrespecting Hindu deities, while others defended his right to express his personal, secular beliefs in a public forum.
- Ironic Context: The backlash is particularly notable given that Rajamouli is famous for making films—such as Baahubali and RRR—that draw heavily on and celebrate Hindu mythological inspiration, often being credited with giving new life to Indian epic storytelling.
As of now, Rajamouli has not issued a formal apology or response to the complaint. The controversy risks overshadowing the massive hype generated by the title reveal for Varanasi, which is set to star Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
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