The teaser for Prabhas's upcoming historical action movie Fauzi, which has stirred controversy for showing freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose with Adolf Hitler, has hit back as his grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose has requested director Hanu Raghavapudi and team to remove the teaser.
He said that mixing fiction with real events could mislead the legacy of prominent individuals. Additionally, he hopes Prabhas would notice the backlash.
Chandra Kumar Bose writes about his concerns
Chandra Kumar Bose took to X to write about his concerns after socio-political leader Suparno Satpathy (great-grandson of writer Kalindi Charan Panigrahi and grandson of late Odisha chief minister Nandini Satpathy) wrote about his concerns.
Although he admitted the teaser was impressive, he said he was confused about mixing fiction with real events. Chandra Kumar wrote "mixing fiction with real events is a crime".
He wrote a post saying that director Hanu Raghavapudi, the team and the production house Mythri Movie Makers should remove the teaser and release a fresh version.
He added that they must make sure they are not misrepresenting real events. He tagged Prabhas in his post and said that he hoped he would read this.
The backlash has made people understand the importance of filmmakers taking responsibility.
Controversy around ‘Fauzi’ teaser
The controversy stems from a video titled File No 25 which was released on October 23 to celebrate Prabhas's 47th birthday.
The teaser which takes place in Berlin in 1942 shows how Bose went to ask for help from Hitler. During the conversation Bose introduces Prabhas's character as an Indian superspy who helped Japan win against Britain.
The video also includes a super code based on the Bhagavad Gita. The spy also apparently works from Calcutta.
At the end of the video Prabhas is shown looking disheveled, smoking a cigarette and shooting a huge gun.
However, many have been upset by the scene where Netaji praises a fictional character.
Prabhas's film sparks debate
Satpathy also defended his comments after some users questioned why people associated with historical figures were upset by a fictional movie.
He said that cinema can have an effect on many generations and he believed that showing Netaji supporting a fictional character could be misleading.
While there are those who support the film as it is fictional, the backlash has come due to the real characters.
The film which is directed by Hanu Raghavapudi will be released in theatres on March 19, 2027.