Kalki director Nag Ashwin stirs a huge controversy.Nag Ashwin, director of Prabhas' upcoming sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, sparked a social media firestorm with a recent Instagram post. He celebrated the film's massive ₹1000 crore budget, emphasizing that this milestone was achieved without resorting to violence, gore, obscenities, or provocative content.
His message, "This milestone…this number [₹1000 crores] is obviously massive for a young team like ours. But the fact that we achieved it without blood, gore, obscenity, provocative or exploitative content, means so much…a big thank you to the audience and the actors who stood behind us… Indian Cinema #Repatikosam," fueled speculation online that he was indirectly targeting Sandeep Reddy Vanga, director of the controversial Arjun Reddy and the upcoming Animal.
Many interpreted Ashwin's statement as a veiled jab at Vanga's films, which are known for their raw and unflinching portrayal of violence and sexuality. Some pointed out that Animal, despite its smaller budget and lack of a star-studded cast, had generated immense buzz and anticipation, suggesting that Vanga's success might be overshadowing Kalki 2898 AD.
While Ashwin's Instagram post has since been deleted, the controversy continues to simmer. It's important to note that Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house behind Kalki 2898 AD, has a history of avoiding films with excessive violence and gore. They were originally slated to produce Arjun Reddy but ultimately backed out due to concerns about potential criticism.
Although Ashwin has been vocal about his preferences for clean cinema, there's no concrete evidence to suggest he intended to directly criticize Vanga. He has consistently acknowledged the flaws in his own films during media interactions and has not been known to publicly disparage other filmmakers.
The social media frenzy surrounding Ashwin's statement highlights the sensitivity surrounding content and creative choices in the Indian film industry. While the debate over violence and sexuality in cinema continues, it's crucial to remember that both Kalki 2898 AD and Animal are highly anticipated films, each with its own unique approach to storytelling.