KGF 1 & 2 are game changers not only for Kannada film industry but for entire South Film industry and played crucial role in the evolution of Pan India Film started by Baahubali. Every path-breaking film face criticism from certain corners and sometimes crosses line to spew hatred on such films. Everyone has different testes and opinions. But, while expressing opinion and criticising it should be gracious rather than mocking. If such negative comments about other films came from industry personalities, they will definitely land in controversies. Such a thing happened with Tollywood directors commenting KGF directed by Prashanth Neel and the design of lead character Rocky played by Yash.
A round table interview with filmmakers– Nandini Reddy, Indraganti Mohana Krishna, Shiva Nirvana, Vivek Athreya and Venkatesh Maha was held by a YouTube channel. Director Venkatesh Maha, known for movies like C/o Kancharapalem and Umamaheswara Ugraroopasya has made a controversial remark on KGF and about its lead character Rocky. He cracked a joke about how a mother ask her kid to exploit others and he didn't stopped there he went on calling the Rocky character names. While remaining directors in the show Vivek Athreya, Indraganti Mohana Krishna and Nandini Reddy were seen laughing for Venkatesh Maha's mimic expressions while mocking KGF.
Venkatsh Maha's way of expressing his opinion has backfired and lead to controversy. These comments receiving severe backlash in social media and many have threatened to ban his films in Karnataka if he doesn't apologise to Yash for his controversial remark. Meanwhile Nandini Reddy took Twitter and apologized if her behaviour hurt anyone and she didn't intend to belittle KGF. She tweeted, " Every commercial film which has become a success is bec the audience hs loved something in tht effort . The conversation was nvr meant 2deride anyones work but rathr hv a positive debate on what cn diversify the narrative of “commercial cinema”. Apologies fr any offence caused 🙏🏼"