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The internet has beennoisey with heated discussions regarding Arshad Warsi’s comments on Prabhas’ role in Kalki 2898 AD. thought many celebrities have voiced their support for the Telugu superstar, it was Nani’s comments on that particularly sparked controversy among netizens. Many users criticized Nani for his controversial jibe at the senior Hindi actor and for demeaning his career.
Nani's apology and justification
Any way ,Nani recently came forward to clarify of his remarks and apologize. He explained that his comments are stemmed from his deep admiration for Prabhas, the pan-Indian star. He stated, “Prabhas is someone who, because of how he has been over the years, everyone feels they own him. He’s not just a big star who makes big films, but because of his humble nature, we feel like we own him.”
Arshad Warsi recently addressed the controversy surrounding his remarks about Prabhas’ performance in “Kalki 2898 AD,” acknowledging that his words may have been misinterpreted and that he could have chosen his phrasing more carefully. He reflected on the press event where he was repeatedly asked about the issue, and noted that his reaction was influenced by the way the topic was being discussed. Warsi admitted that, upon reflection, the matter seemed to have been exaggerated and that his own statements had been taken out of context. He emphasized that his primary focus should be on his film, “Surya’s Saturday” (Saripodhaa Sanivaaram), and that he intends to limit his responses to issues directly related to his work.
Warsi concluded by recognizing that much of the debate and heated discussion stemmed from fans’ strong reactions to their favorite stars. This, he suggested, contributed to the intense online discourse.
The controversy began when Arshad Warsi criticized Prabhas’ performance in “Kalki 2898 AD” during an appearance on the podcast “Unfiltered with Samdish.” While Warsi praised Amitabh Bachchan’s role in the film, he expressed his dissatisfaction with Prabhas, remarking, “Prabhas, I’m genuinely disappointed. He came across like a joker. I was expecting a character with a Mad Max-style intensity, like Mel Gibson. I just don’t understand the creative choices made.”
In response to these comments, several Telugu celebrities voiced their support for Prabhas. Nani, who was at a press event promoting his upcoming film “Saripodhaa Sanivaaram,” joined the fray by criticizing Warsi’s remarks. Nani took a jab at Warsi’s career, suggesting that the controversy was the biggest publicity Warsi had ever received and urged fans not to elevate such issues. Nani remarked, “This must be the most publicity he (Arshad Warsi) has ever received. You are unnecessarily glorifying an insignificant issue.”
The situation quickly escalated, leading to a wave of criticism from netizens who took to social media to express their disappointment with Nani’s comments. Many felt that such public disagreements between South Indian and Bollywood actors only serve to deepen the rift between the two film industries, exacerbating the ongoing North vs South debate.
Kalki 2898 AD on OTT: Netizens agree with Arshad Warsi for calling Prabhas a ‘joker’ in the film - 'He didn’t say anything wrong...'
Social Media Reactions Supporting Arshad Warsi
On X (formerly Twitter), a segment of netizens has voiced their agreement with Arshad Warsi’s assessment of Prabhas’ role in “Kalki 2898 AD.” One user posted a still from the film, stating, “#ArshadWarsi didn’t say anything wrong. He didn’t like the character Prabhas was playing, and constructive criticism is valid. Prabhas indeed came across as a joker in #Kalki, with many cringe-worthy scenes. #Prabhas #ArshadWarsi.”
Another user defended Warsi by suggesting that his criticism was meant to highlight that a star of Prabhas’ stature deserved a more substantial role. This user argued that fans often react harshly to any negative feedback about their favorite actors, even if the critique is honest.
The discussion continued with several users criticizing Prabhas’ performance in the film. One commenter remarked, “Even though Prabhas is a major box office draw, his role in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ seemed quite cringe-worthy. Arshad Warsi’s comments are spot on.” Another user labeled “Kalki 2898 AD” as an average film, agreeing with Warsi that Prabhas’ role was poorly executed and suggesting that actor Allu Arjun would have been a better fit for the part.
The Original Controversy
Arshad Warsi’s remarks originated from an interview with Samdish Bhatia, where he expressed his dissatisfaction with “Kalki 2898 AD” and specifically with Prabhas’ performance. Warsi stated, “Prabhas, I’m genuinely disappointed. Why did he come across as a joker? I was expecting something akin to Mad Max or Mel Gibson’s intensity. I just don’t understand the creative decisions behind this portrayal.” His comments quickly went viral and elicited strong reactions from South Indian film personalities.
In response, South Indian actors such as Nani, Sudheer Babu, and director Ajay Bhupathi rallied in support of Prabhas, condemning Warsi’s critique.
About “Kalki 2898 AD”
“Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin, features a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, and Kamal Haasan. Despite the controversies, the film achieved commercial success at the box office, solidifying its status as a blockbuster hit.